Fountain of Kaiser Wilhelm II

The Kaiser Wilhelm Fountain is located in the Hippodrome part of Istanbul. The Hippodrome was a central point of Byzantine culture and Kaiser Wilhelm's Fountain is a prominent sight within the Hippodrome.
Kaiser Wilhelm's Fountain was commissioned by German Emperor Wilhelm II, hence its name. (It also goes by the nickname the German Fountain.) Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II had the fountain constructed in Germany after his visit to Istanbul in 1898 during which he met with the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II. The fountain was then transported in pieces to Istanbul as a thank you gift from emperor for his stay in the city and it was erected in 1901 on Kaiser Wilhelm II's birthday as a symbol of positive relations between Germany and Turkey.
The neo-Byzantine style of the fountain fits in nicely with the aesthetics of the old Hippodrome, thanks to its octagonal and stately gazebo-style dome ceiling and columns. Peer underneath the dome to see its golden, mosaic design. Also take note of the symbols on the fountain which consists of Sultan Abdülhamid II's tughra and the symbol of Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign. There is also an inscription from Wilhelm II on the fountain mentioning how he was thankful for his time visiting Istanbul and Abdülhamid II. In addition, you’ll see taps coming out the sides of the fountain with running water where you can wash your hands and feet.

Practical Info

Kaiser Wilhelm's Fountain is located by the northern entrance to the Hippodrome in Sultanahmet Square. It is free to visit and walk around.