A GERMAN FOUNTAIN IN ISTANBUL

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         The German Fountain is one of the many historic architectural monuments that make Istanbul a place one never tires of exploring.This frequently visited fountain on Sultanahmet Square is a virtual icon that draws tourists to have their picture taken in front of it.  



 
          The 19th century is remembered as a period of close relations between Germany and the Ottoman State.So much so that the German emperor,Kaiser Wilhelm II, visited Istanbul three times at different dates.On his second visit,when he was promised that the contract for the construction of the Istanbul-Baghdad Railroad would be given to German firms,he commissioned the building of a fountain,known as the German Fountain,as a gift to Istanbul and to the sultan.This fountain,from whose spouts water still runs today serving visitors to Sultanahmet,is also important for its architecture.

        Work on the fountain began in the summer of 1899.Made entirely in Germany and shipped to Istanbul piece by piece to be assembled on Sultanahmet Square,the fountain was first going to be unveiled on September 1,1900,the 25th anniversary of Abdülhamid II' successionto the throne.But when the fountain could not be completed by that date,it was inaugurated instead on the Kaiser's birthday,january 27,1901.Thefountain inseription is a couplet by Ahmet Muhtar Bey, written in Thuluth script by Calligrapher İzzet Efendi.A bronze plaque at the entrance displays an inscription in German,saying.,'This fountain was commissioned in grateful memory of the visit of the German Kaiser,Wilhelm II, to the great Ottoman ruler,Abdulhamid II,in the autumn of 1898.



         
         The German Fontain differs from both classical European public fountains and traditional public fountains in Istanbul.As a type,its design is closer to that of a shadervan (mosque fountain) than tahat of a public fountain.But the most striking aspect of the fountain are its solid columns of dark green porphyry,its ornamental arches,and its bright green,copper-plated dome.The cast-bronze bases and capitals of the columns exhibit relief designs consisting of stylizedvegatel motifs and alternating rows of four different patterns.Round medallions in high relief appear in the keystones of each of the semi-circular arches,whose edges are rimmed with a band of circular motifs with a central star.

       The German Fountain,which was restored by the Fatih Municipality in 2013,continues to enhance the beauty of Istanbul with its ornamentation which employs no figurative motifs,its original design,its political and commemorative significance and,last but not least,its monumental quality.




          The spouts on seven sides of the octagonal structure are still functional today.

CAMLIHEMSIN

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         A piece of Emerald in East Black Sea

Pleasure starts in Trabzon at an airport that faces one of the prettiest scenes of the world continues with a one and a quarter hour long ride from Trabzon to Rize-Çamlıhemşin.This place presents all its green,highlands and abundant oxygen to its visitors every year.Experience serenity,nature,joy and excitement in this smallest town of Rize,that is one of the essential cities in the Black Sea Region...

      The 'Black Sea green' is another kind of color ,but the green in East Black Sea is even better.So green and so authentic that once you visit this region you will never forget about it.Çamlıhemşin is the star of this region-a town of Rize.Another thing that makes it different is that it doesn'n have a coast.The 22-kilometre-long land route from the sea to the south connects to this pretty town.

      Kaçkar Mountains line up parallel to the sea with a curve in the southeast-west direction.Mount Kaçkar stands as tall as 3 thousand 932 kilometers in this chain of mountains;Mount Cimil reaches 3 thousand 344 meters height and there are many other hills and mountains here with at least 2 thousand meters altitude.They are the source of the clean air in the region.

      Varous crater lakes formed due to geomorphological movements create an amazing scenery over Kaçkar Mountains.Büyük Deniz Lake,Meterez Lake are only a couple of these...These blue areas inbetween verdant green makes this place even more special.This region is also known as the Fırtına Valley for the Fırtına Brook that passes from the town center.Fırtına Brook is one of the numbered naturel wonders of the world and it flows passionately by taking in the waters of the great brook that is the combination of Fırtına Brook,Elevit Brook of Kaçkar and Verçenik valleys,Palovit Brook and Hala Brook (Ayder Brook).The waters empty into the Black Sea over Pazar-Ardeşen border,Neighboring Pazar,Ardeşen,Çayeli,Hemşin,İspir,İkizdere and Yusufeli towns,Çamlıhemşin's ancient name is Vicealtı...



        Fırtına Brook is ready for adrenaline-lovers and others who want more than gorgeous scenery.This place is one of the most popular destinations for nature sports lovers.As an attraction center for domestic and foreign tourists,this area has the best racing tracks especially for rafting.


   
     

                BROOKS WITHOUT BRIDGES?
 
        Rivers cut through Çamlıhemşin,which is why many bridges had been built here throughout the history.these stone bridges add the manmade kind of beauty to the natural beauties.The historical Mikron Bridge is quite close to Aşağışimşirli village...Dating back to the 19th century,the bridge features similar architectural characteristics as the others.Built of rubble and dimension stone,Mikron Bridge is as longas 30 meters and at 12 meters altitude above the brook.The oldest bridge of Çamlıhemşin,that is still active,is Şenyuva Bridge.Used to be called 'Çinçiva',the bridge has a single arch.It flows over Fırtına Brook and stretches on east-west direction.According to the locals, the bridge had a manuscript and it got lost in the flood in 1946.The locals state that the date of construction of this bridge was 1699.The total length of the bridge is 40 meters and it is as high as 15-20 meters.



                      IDEAL FOR HIGHLAND TOURISM

            Highlands stand out as the best kind of natural wonders in East Black Sea.Located on a high altitude,Hazindak Highland is in touch with green and has untouched parts.You can reach this area by traveling from Şenyuva Village to Pokut Highland and by walking the two-hour-long pathway from Amlekit,over Ayder Highland.Named after Mount Hazin,this is a place where you can picture the most beautiful scenes and discover others.Remaining untouched,Hazindak Highland is among the places where nature-lovers would love to get lost in and explore the area.Less recognized but almost famous Gito Highland has been made a touristic attraction center recently.Known by few people,this highland presents fascinating scenery at every step.This is the home of clouds;the mist here looks so intense that you might think that the clouds are on the ground.This white cover of Gito Highland under your feet presents another kind of green and blue with addition.