09.03.2026 12:14
A 61-year-old suspect who set fire to the Tophane Fountain, the largest third fountain in Istanbul built by Mahmud I in 1732, has been detained. In his statement, the suspect said, "I lit a fire to warm up, I didn't know it was historical." Meanwhile, the moments when the historical fountain was set on fire were captured on camera.
On March 5th, Thursday, around 00:30, a 300-year-old historical fountain was set ablaze in Tophane, located in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. According to the information obtained, the Tophane Fountain, built during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I in 1732 and known as one of the elegant square fountains of Ottoman architecture, has been one of Istanbul's important symbols for nearly three centuries.
THE SUSPECT WHO SET THE HISTORICAL FOUNTAIN ON FIRE WAS DETAINED
A fire was lit by O.G.Y. (61) around the historical structure known as Istanbul's third largest fountain, located in Tophane Square, during the night hours. It was observed that some parts of the marble surfaces had darkened due to the fire. The damage caused to the historical artifact drew reactions from those nearby and tourists. It was learned that teams had started working to clean the soot and grime that formed on the fountain. Police teams dispatched to the scene upon receiving a report detained the suspect O.G.Y., who was identified as having started the fire.
"I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS A HISTORICAL ARTIFACT"
It was determined that the suspect had five criminal records for offenses such as 'damaging places of worship and cemeteries', 'intentional injury', and 'manslaughter by negligence'. After completing the procedures at the police station, the suspect O.G.Y. was referred to the courthouse for the charges of 'damaging property' and 'deliberately endangering public safety'. It was learned that in his first statement, he said, "I lit a fire to warm up; I didn't know it was a historical artifact."
MOMENTS OF THE FOUNTAIN BURNING CAPTURED ON CAMERA
On the other hand, a mobile phone video of the moments when the historical fountain was burning emerged. The footage shows flames rising from the fountain and citizens moving away. Firefighters who arrived at the scene after a while intervened in the flames. The person recording the incident reacted to the fire being lit.
"WE WANT A POLICE POINT TO BE ESTABLISHED"
Yadigar Murat, a religious official at Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque, stated, "I am the religious official of Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque. Our fountain is located right next to our mosque. It is a very rare artifact. It is one of Istanbul's three great fountains, as can be seen, a monument of art. This is the Tophane Fountain. Until yesterday, our fountain was standing strong here, but a citizen who is not mentally stable previously destroyed the bookshelves in our mosque for three consecutive days. When we called the police, they unfortunately said that no action could be taken because he was mentally ill. I think there is a loophole in the law, and such people can damage such structures. Last night, when our security friend noticed a flame here, he immediately informed the fire department and the police. He saw the person. He must have escaped or gone missing in between. They intervened here, but this place has suffered quite a bit of damage," he said. Murat added, "As our security friend said, it happened around 02:00-03:00 at night. This is a region with high tourist traffic. We want a police point to be established here for all aspects. For public order, for public safety, and a police point must definitely be established in this area where historical artifacts are concentrated. Istanbul had three great fountains; one in Üsküdar Square, one right next to Hagia Sophia, and this one. They are all artifacts of high artistic value. If we do not protect them, they can be subjected to such incidents."
"CAN A HISTORICAL ARTIFACT BE BURNED?"
Tourist Yevhenilla Samilova said, "I am Ukrainian. I came to Turkey as a tourist. Istanbul is a very beautiful city, but this situation is very bad. I hope it gets fixed." Yusuf Gök stated, "Those who burn our historical artifacts are called traitors. Can a historical artifact be burned? This is a legacy that will be passed on to our grandchildren. At the very least, it needs to be restored, but the perpetrator must also be caught and punished."
"A SOLUTION MUST BE FOUND"
Şahin Şık, who stated that the people living on the street might have burned the fountain, said, "The people living on the street are putting beds inside the fountain to sleep. They drink alcohol and get drunk and have set it on fire. This is a constantly occurring event. It is not the first time this has happened. Because they put beds, citizens who go to drink water from the fountain are also affected. I don't know how a solution can be found, but a solution must be found. There have been multiple incidents of burning, and it has been restored multiple times. I generally come to visit every 4-5 years. In these years, I have encountered this incident 4-5 times. People living on the street put beds next to the fountain. I don't know if it's the effect of alcohol, but they have burned the fountain and their beds multiple times. It is bad for it to continue like this."
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
An explanation was also made by the Istanbul Governor's Office regarding the issue. The statement said, "The Tophane Square Fountain, located in the Kılıç Ali Paşa neighborhood of Beyoğlu district and built in 1732, was damaged in a fire that broke out on 05.03.2026. Following the incident, an investigation was initiated by the security units, and it was determined that the fire was started by 61-year-old O.G.Y., who lives on the street. In the investigation conducted on the individual, it was found that he had five criminal records for offenses such as Manslaughter by Negligence, Arson, Damaging Places of Worship and Cemeteries, and Intentional Injury. O.G.Y. was referred to the courthouse after the investigation regarding the charges of 'damaging property' and 'deliberately endangering public safety'."