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A historic Ottoman-era fire pump, known as a “tulumba,” is drawing attention in Eskisehir as a rare reminder of how local communities once dealt with fires before modern fire brigades became widespread.
The suction-and-pressure pump, believed to have been used in firefighting from the 1720s onward, is being displayed by an antique dealer in the Arifiye neighborhood of Eskisehir’s Odunpazari district.
The piece, described as nearly 300 years old, stands out not only for its age but also for its link to neighborhood solidarity during the Ottoman period.
Antique dealer Enes Sahin said the object was a type of fire pump that came into use in 1727 and became more common in the 18th and 19th centuries.
He explained that the pump worked through a suction-and-pressure method. Two people would operate it from opposite sides, allowing the device to draw in water and then spray it out through a hose.
Sahin said that in periods when organized fire departments were not common, residents would come together to carry the pump and respond to fires in shops or other places in the neighborhood.
He noted that another example of a similar pump is currently displayed at the Istanbul Fire Brigade Museum.
Although Sahin said the current market value of the piece is estimated between ₺300,000 and ₺500,000, he added that its emotional value is much higher for the shop.
According to him, the object is especially appreciated by visitors who value Turkish history, and it remains one of the items that attracts the most interest.
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