“Dedicated to my mother.” Imagine those words etched in stone. They speak volumes about the heart behind the Zeynep Hanım Çeşmesi.
Hello everyone. We are standing before the Zeynep Hanım Çeşmesi. It is a beautiful fountain with a touching story.
Zeynep Hanım Çeşmesi was commissioned in 1868. It was a gift from Zeynep Kamil Hanım. She was the daughter of Kavalalı Mehmet Ali Pasha. She was also the wife of Grand Vizier Yusuf Kamil Pasha. Zeynep Hanım built it to honor her mother, Şeminur Kadın. The inscription on the fountain declares this dedication.
Zeynep Kamil Hanım passed away in 1882. Her legacy lives on through this fountain. It stands in Yakacık, Kartal. It is a testament to a daughter’s love. The fountain was recently repaired.
Sadly, many fountains in Istanbul face neglect. Some are even destroyed. Zeynep Sultan Çeşmesi in Fatih is covered by a four-story building. Çorbacı Çeşmesi in Balat is partly buried. Once, Istanbul boasted nearly 10,000 fountains. Now, only about 1,200 are officially recorded. Of those, only 60 to 70 still flow with water.
Historical researcher Mehmet Dilbaz highlights this decline. He notes that Zeynep Sultan, daughter of Ahmed III, commissioned many good works. This fountain was one of them. Zeynep Sultan also had a sebil, mosque and türbe in the area. Sadly, many of her works have been lost.
Dilbaz explains that the destruction of fountains began in the Ottoman era. For example, Zeynep Sultan’s fountains and türbe were damaged in 1871. This happened during the construction of a tram line. The fountain was moved and later disappeared. Many fountains in Istanbul are damaged or built upon.
Of the 1,200 recorded fountains only a few still have flowing water. Many are defaced with graffiti. Their marble and inscriptions are stolen.
Dilbaz points out that fountains need protection. Their official status must be clarified. Many fountains have multiple owners. This makes it difficult for the Culture Ministry to intervene. He suggests creating a cultural inventory and assigning fountains to organizations like the Su Vakfı or İSKİ. These organizations could repair the fountains and restore their water flow.
Dilbaz stresses the importance of water flow. A fountain without water deteriorates. Fountains create a habitat for people and animals. They provide water for street animals, especially in summer. Cutting off a fountain’s water destroys this habitat.
So, as you admire the Zeynep Hanım Çeşmesi remember its story. It is a story of love, loss and the importance of preserving our heritage. This fountain stands as a reminder of a daughter’s devotion. It also shows the need to protect these historical treasures. Let us appreciate and safeguard these beautiful fountains. They are a vital part of Istanbul’s history and culture.