Restoration of Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Fountain is Completed

The restoration of Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Fountain in Karagümrük within the scope of Fatih Municipality's efforts to protect, maintain and transfer historical fountains to future generations was completed and the missing crown inscription was found and installed.

Survey, restitution and restoration projects were carried out in accordance with the projects approved by the Conservation Board. Within the scope of the restoration works, the original marble crown section, which is not in place today and can be clearly seen in the photographs taken in 1936, was found and placed in its original position.

MISSING CROWN FOUND AND INSTALLED

Fatih Municipality Cultural Heritage Conservation Directorate teams, who were informed that the decorated marble crown section of the fountain fell years ago due to neglect and was taken by a benevolent citizen and kept in his house, took action immediately. It was understood that the marble piece was discovered by the headman upon the death of the benevolent citizen and delivered to the Foundations Administration. The General Directorate of Foundations, relevant institutions and museums were contacted and it was determined that the original marble crown section was in the archives of the İSKİ Foundation Waters Branch Directorate. As a result of the official correspondence, the marble crown in two pieces received with the permission of the Conservation Board was carefully cleaned and fitted together in the workshop environment and installed in its original place on the inscription.

Pertevniyal Valide Sultan Fountain

The fountain, built by Pertevniyal Valide Sultan in 1863, is located on Karabulut Street leading to Karagümrük Market Square. It is also known as "Church Fountain" among the people due to the presence of a church at its back. The fountain has a square plan and has a water reservoir. The walls are largely built of rubble stone and plastered. The most remarkable part of the fountain is the front façade consisting of a marble mirror stone and an inscription. In the centre of the inscription there is a monogram of Sultan Abdülaziz decorated with laurel stones.

Inscription:
Adâlet taht-gâhında kıyâm etdikçe şâhım
Hatâdan hıfz ede Mevlâ vücûd-ı Abdülazîz Hân
Karagümrük miyânında edipdir hayr ile ihsân
Muvaffak oldu bu hayra getirdi hoş âb-ı revân
İçenler mâ-i zülâlden edeler hayr ile duâ
Yapıp bu çeşmeyi ihyâ eyledi Vâlide Sultân
Mezîd ez-diyâd etsin füzûn-ı ömr ü şevketle
Mâderi oldu cihânın Pertevniyal-i ulûvvü’ş-şân
H. 1279

In contemporary English:
May Allah protect the body of Abdulaziz Khan from mistakes as long as my Sultan stands on the throne of justice.
He granted charity in Karagümrük Square and brought a fresh water and was successful in this charity.
This fountain was built and restored by Valide Sultan, may those who drink from this fresh water pray for her.
May she live with longevity and greatness. The glorious Pertevniyal became the mother of the world.