The Abdullah Pasha Fountain is an Empire-style marble fountain from 1844, located at Trabzon's Zagnos Bastion. With Sultan Abdülmecid's tughra, a tree of life decoration, and an 18-couplet Persian inscription, it is one of the important examples of the city's stone works.
This marble fountain, leaning against the eastern entrance of Zagnos Pasha Tower, is actually a relocated work. According to its inscription, it was built in 1844 (Hijri 1260) by Haznedarzade Abdullah Pasha, the then Governor of Trabzon, but its original location was not here. It used to stand next to the water distribution center in Taksim Square. During boulevard and square renovations, it was dismantled and remained idle in Atapark for a while, then in 1981, through the initiative of Garrison Commander Hüsnü Göktuğ, it was re-erected in its current location, on the eastern face of Zagnos Bastion.
This fountain, with a flat lintel, no basin, and a single spout, consists of a base, water trough, spout mirror, inscription panel, and crown sections. In the crown section, Sultan Abdülmecid's tughra is crafted using appliqué technique within an oval cartouche; around it, acanthus leaves, a sun disc, and rosette motifs form a symmetrical composition. In the middle of the spout mirror, there is a stylized tree of life motif, which is considered a reference to Seljuk stone craftsmanship. Above the mirror, there is an 18-couplet Persian inscription, ruled into four columns and nine lines. Apart from the seating areas that were lost during relocation, the structure has largely remained original.
Similar details are also seen in the Ali Bey Fountain (1836) and Bezmiâlem Valide Sultan Fountains (1843-45) in Istanbul. In this respect, the Abdullah Pasha Fountain is a rather ambitious structure for a provincial area, emulating examples in the capital.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Trabzon historical places, Sümela Monastery.
Guide's Note
How Was the Fountain Moved Here?
The story of the Abdullah Pasha Fountain is a bit convoluted. Its initial location was not the current Zagnos Bastion, but next to the water distribution center in Taksim Square. During the construction of Yavuz Sultan Selim Boulevard and the square's arrangement, the fountain and the distribution center were dismantled and remained idle in the Atapark area for a while. In 1981, through the initiative of Garrison Commander Hüsnü Göktuğ, it was re-erected in its current location, on the eastern face of Zagnos Bastion. The seating areas were lost during the relocation, but the stone and inscription sections largely remained original.
Seeing the Decorations Up Close
The most striking part of the fountain is its stone section. In the center, Sultan Abdülmecid's tughra is crafted using appliqué technique within an oval cartouche, with a ray of light motif above it. On both sides, acanthus leaves wrap around the rosette motif in an S-shape, ending with a sun disc at the top and a rosette at the bottom. The stylized tree of life in the middle of the spout mirror is a reference to Seljuk stone plasticity. This inscription section is the most curious detail when taking photos.
How to Get There?
The fountain is located in Ortahisar Mahallesi, under the Zagnos Bastion, in the city center. It can be easily reached by city buses and dolmuşes that go to the Atapark area. It is within walking distance from hotels in the center and around Uzun Sokak.
How Much Time Should Be Allocated?
The fountain itself is a 10-15 minute stop. If you want to visit Zagnos Bastion, Atapark, and the surrounding historical walls, it is more logical to allocate half a day to this area. The fountain is a small but detailed part of this route.
Other Stops Nearby
Since it is adjacent to Zagnos Bastion, those walking along the walls naturally see the fountain. Atapark, the remains of Trabzon Castle, and Ottoman-era structures in the center can be included in the same walking route.
What to Pay Attention to While Visiting?
The fountain is outdoors, with no protective barrier around it. When touching or taking photos, pay attention to the portable original details, especially the sun disc on the stone section. Those who want to read the inscription text should take close-up photos, as the Persian couplets are not discernible from a distance.
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