Bahri Pasha Fountain

Bahri Paşa Çeşmesi was constructed in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Sultan II. Abdülhamit’s accession to the throne by Adana Governor Bahri Paşa. It is a monumental water structure located in Atatürk Parkı, reflecting the eclectic artistic style of the late Ottoman period.^【1】

^{Bahri Paşa Çeşmesi} (ODÖO)

The structure was built as one of several monument projects initiated across various Ottoman provinces in 1901 to mark the 25th anniversary of Sultan II. Abdülhamit’s reign.

The fountain was completed through the initiatives of Bahri Paşa, who was the governor of Adana at the time, and was subsequently named after him. Originally situated in Kuruköprü Square along Eski Belediye Caddesi, it was demolished in 1952 during municipal road expansion works.^【2】

In 1991–1992, the Adana Governorship launched the campaign "Respect for Our Cultural Heritage" to restore the demolished structure to the city. Based on a restoration project prepared by architect Zeynep Çavuşoğlu, the fountain was rebuilt faithfully to its original design.^【3】

Bahri Paşa Çeşmesi features a prismatic body exhibiting clear characteristics of the late Ottoman eclectic artistic style. The structure rises on a square plan base, with each facade containing round-arched niches.

The roof is crowned with a baldachin-style dome. Inscriptions and decorative elements set into marble plaques on the body exemplify the monumental water structure architecture of the period.^【4】

Today, it is located within Atatürk Parkı in the Reşatbey (Kurtuluş) neighborhood of Seyhan district, Adana. Due to its central urban location, the structure is accessible by all forms of transport and is among the significant historical sites visited under cultural tourism. The building is situated in a publicly accessible area.^【5】

Bahri Paşa Çeşmesi retains its functional character as a "charity fountain" and continues to provide water to the public today. There is no entrance fee or appointment requirement for visitors, and the structure is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.^【6】