Historic Tophane Fountain Damaged by Fire in Istanbul
Istanbul, March 8 – The Tophane Fountain, a grand historical structure commissioned by Mahmud I in 1732 and recognized as Istanbul’s third-largest fountain, has been damaged by a fire. Unidentified individuals reportedly set a fire near the fountain, causing significant blackening to its marble surfaces.
Damage to a Three-Century-Old Landmark
The Tophane Fountain, located in Tophane Square, has stood as a prominent symbol of Istanbul for nearly three centuries, showcasing the elegant Ottoman architectural style of public fountains. The fire, which occurred near the structure, has left visible soot and grime on the marble, drawing strong condemnation from both residents and tourists.
Teams have reportedly initiated efforts to clean the soot and residue from the fountain. It has been learned that an individual suspected of causing the damage was briefly detained by the police but later released after giving a statement.
“A Very Rare Work of Art”
Yadigar Murat, a religious official from Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque, which is adjacent to the fountain, expressed his dismay. – ‘Our fountain is located right next to our mosque. It is a very rare work of art, one of Istanbul’s three largest fountains, a true masterpiece. Until yesterday, our fountain stood intact, but a citizen with mental health issues, who had previously damaged bookshelves in our mosque three days in a row, set this fire. When we called the police, they regrettably informed us that no action could be taken due to his mental state. I assume there is a loophole in the law that allows such individuals to harm these structures.’
Murat further explained, – ‘Our security colleague noticed a flame here last night and immediately notified the fire department and police. He saw the individual, who then somehow escaped or disappeared. They intervened here, but the place suffered considerable damage.’
Call for Increased Security
Murat stated that the incident likely occurred around 2:00-3:00 AM, according to their security colleague. He emphasized the need for a permanent police presence in the area, given its high tourist traffic and concentration of historical artifacts.
– ‘This is a heavily tourist-populated area. We strongly advocate for a police station here for reasons of public order and the protection of these historical sites. Istanbul had three major fountains: in Üsküdar Square, next to Hagia Sophia, and here. These are artworks of high value. If we don’t protect them, they can be subjected to such incidents,’ he added.
Tourist Reactions and Public Outcry
Yevhenilla Samilova, a tourist from Ukraine, commented, – ‘I am from Ukraine and came to Turkey as a tourist. Istanbul is a very beautiful city, but this situation is very bad. I hope it will be fixed.’
Yusuf Gök expressed strong condemnation, stating, – ‘Those who burn our historical artifacts are traitors. Why would anyone burn a historical artifact? This is a legacy for our grandchildren. At the very least, it needs to be restored, but the culprit must also be caught and punished.’
“Homeless Individuals Repeatedly Burned the Fountain and Their Beds”
Şahin Şık suggested that homeless individuals might be responsible, stating, – ‘Homeless people sleep inside the fountain by putting beds there. They drink alcohol, get drunk, and set fires. This is a recurring issue here, not a first-time event. Because they put beds there, citizens who go to drink water from the fountain are also affected. I don’t know what solution can be found, but a solution must be found. There have been burning incidents many times, and it has been restored many times. I have been visiting for 4-5 years, and I have encountered this incident 4-5 times during these years. Homeless people put beds next to the fountain. I don’t know if it’s due to the influence of alcohol, but they have burned both the fountain and their beds many times. This constant occurrence leaves a bad impression. It’s not a good situation.’
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the preservation of historical sites in Istanbul and the challenges posed by vandalism and homelessness.
Source: http://mobil.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/istanbuldaki-yuzlerce-yillik-nadide-eseri-yaktilar-43124252
