Standing before the Fatma Doman Statue, you can almost feel the salty air and the rhythmic crash of waves against the harbor walls. This is the story of a woman who, for nearly three decades, kept the lights of Antalya Marina burning, guiding ships safely through the waters. The statue commemorates Fatma Doman, the last lighthouse keeper of Antalya’s Kaleiçi harbor. It’s a symbol of resilience and dedication. Imagine her, a petite figure against the backdrop of towering waves, her eyes fixed on the sea, her hand guiding the beam of the lighthouse.
While many considered lighthouse keeping a man’s job, Fatma Doman, a woman of strength and determination, took on the responsibility after her husband, Ahmet Doman, fell ill. She managed the lighthouse for two years, lovingly caring for her husband, before his untimely passing. After that, she became the sole provider for her three daughters, dedicating herself to her work. Every day, come rain or shine, she would set the lighthouse ablaze, her courage illuminating the paths of countless mariners.
A man known as Mustafa Ekizler, a devout imam of the nearby İskele Mosque, recognized Fatma Doman’s struggles. He had once been a sailor, relying on the lighthouse’s guiding beacon in the darkest of nights. Now, he saw the hardships Fatma faced and became her staunch supporter. He stood by her side, defending her right to the job, ensuring she wouldn’t be replaced. He even went to Antalya’s governor, pleading for her protection. In those days, lighthouse keepers would light the lamps using gas, and Fatma Doman would climb, with her own hands, to refill those lamps.
The governor, moved by their heartfelt pleas, recognized Fatma Doman’s incredible dedication and resilience. He ensured her position, allowing her to continue her work for another 28 years. Eventually, when she retired in 1983, she was fondly remembered as the “Fenerci Teyze,” the lighthouse auntie, by the local children who grew up watching her diligently tend to the light. Today, the Fatma Doman Statue stands as a testament to her courage and unwavering commitment to her family and to the safe passage of those at sea.