Thessaloniki’s Fountain Square is one of the most famous meeting points in the city. The outstanding fountain, which is located between Egnatia and Ethnikis Aminis street, was classified yesterday as a monument by the Central Council of Modern Monuments.
This fountain of historical and urban significance is directly linked to the Ottoman Empire and specifically to the Ottoman leader Sampri Pasha. He ruled during the last period of the Ottoman Empire and this fountain was built as part of the city planning, in an effort to update the whole city.
Its construction with white marbles at the end of the 19th century, combines Ottoman and western elements, and was influenced by other fountains of the Ottoman Empire that decorated the city.
Its upper part is more of a Western European shape, while the obelisk reminds us of Egyptian prototypes.
The fountain is on a round basis and consists of three semi-circles. The back of every semi-circle is decorated with water drops, which bring to our mind not only the ancient Greek temple architecture, but also neoclassicism.
The water goes through lion heads, a folk architecture element of the country.
It is said that the existence of all sorts of clubs in the area, created a bad reputation and caused the citizens’ negative reaction. Ιn order to eliminate this impression and adorn the city, the Turkish governance decided to build this fountain.
.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
