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A historic Ottoman fountain in central Istanbul has been damaged after a fire was lit on its marble structure during the night, leaving parts of the monument blackened with soot. Authorities later detained the individual responsible for the incident.
The incident took place at the historic Tophane Fountain in Istanbul’s Tophane Square, a well-known landmark dating back to 1732.
Built during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I, the monument is regarded as one of the elegant examples of Ottoman-era square fountains, freestanding public fountains designed both to supply drinking water and to decorate urban squares.
According to information obtained at the scene, unidentified individuals lit a fire on the fountain late at night. The flames did not destroy the structure but caused visible damage, covering parts of the marble surface with soot and ash and leaving the area around the water spouts darkened.
The fountain, which has stood in the area for nearly three centuries, is considered the third-largest historic fountain in Istanbul and remains one of the most recognizable monuments in the Tophane district.
Local taxi driver Veysi Astam, who works in the area, said the current condition of the monument was disturbing to see. He explained that many taxi drivers operate in the neighborhood and are familiar with the fountain, which has long been a noticeable structure that also draws the attention of tourists.
He suggested the fire may have been lit by homeless individuals seeking warmth during cold weather, adding that the monument currently appears blackened and that ashes from the fire are still visible around the structure.
Following the incident, authorities launched an investigation to determine who was responsible. The individual suspected of lighting the fire was later detained.
Meanwhile, municipal teams are expected to carry out cleaning work to remove the soot and ash from the marble surfaces in order to restore the appearance of the historic monument.
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