Tophane Square Fountain was located in a triangular area between Necati Bey and Tophane Streets in Tophane Neighborhood of Beyoglu District of Istanbul and was built upon the orders of Sultan Mahmut I (1730-1754) in 1732. The fountain was a work of architect Mehmet Ağa and its history scripture belongs to Poet Nahifi. It forms also an arhitectural unity with the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque.
Monumental standing of the structure on which marks of transition from classical type to baroque are seen in its decoration, helped to be one of the highlighted architectural elements in the area where it was located.
Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca
Among fountains which was built in square shape in Istanbul, this fountain’s wide eaves reflecting baroque marks and aesthetic harmony of the sharp arched niches used in the Ottoman architecture of the classical period, it shelters spectacular forms of architecture.
Naturalists motifs of the Tophane Fountain that consists of flowers clustered in vases have differential feature of naturmort style. The fountain is a work of transition period and it is shows as the most beautiful architectural samples of this style in that period. This important work was restored by Sakasu, a Sabancı Group company, in 2006 put into service of the people of Istanbul. During this restoration works, the rich ornaments of the fountain were enriched by 23 karat golden leaf with an area of 40 squared meters and the fountain was put into service with a magnificent opening ceremony with the participation of Kadir Topbas, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Güler Sabancı, CEO of Sabancı Group.
Tue, Jul 14, 2009
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