The hidden pearl of the Topkapı Palace: The Harem

It was an ‘education centre’ and a ‘service temple’. But in the end it was the residential quarters of the Sultan...

By Elif Türkölmez

 

It was an ‘education centre’ and a ‘service temple’. But in the end it was the residential quarters of the Sultan… People are always interested in the unknown, curious about what is hidden. This is valid as much for things in our proximity, as for mysteries hidden in the depths of history. We always want to know more, to see what is behind closed doors. And, the more blurry the dusty pages of history are, the greater are the spec ulations about them. One of the best examples of this is the Topkapı Palace Harem, also known as Darüssaade. This place being the Sultan’s private space; it was not allowed to reveal what was h appening

inside. However, the more things were kept secret; all the more stories were invented about it. Hence, it became the subject on which the greatest variety of rumours was being produced, in the past as in the present. But now, let us set aside fantasies and look at the facts of the harem…

The word harem is derived from the Arabic word “harim” meaning confidential. The Ottoman rulers lived with their families in the Topkapı Palace Harem, from the 16th century until the beginning of the 19th century. Since its structures reflect the various periods in terms of architectural styles, the complex gained gr eat importance with regard to the history of Ottoman architecture. The Harem, standing out from this angle among its existing

counterparts in other Islamic palaces, was built at the second courtyard and rear gardens of the Topkapı Palace and expanded over the centuries. It was carefully hidden and separated from the “selamlık” (the quarters reserved for men) and the administrative sections of the palace, through very high walls. The complex includes more than three hundred rooms, nine

baths, two mosques, a hospital, dormitories, and laundry rooms. The overall structure of the present configuration, resulting from successive renovations and expansions carried out over a time span of several centuries, can be summarized as a succession of courtyards lined up one after another. Dormitories, rooms, villas and service buildings are situated behind the

entrance doors placed around these courtyards. The gate separating the main part of the harem, i.e. the actual living quarters of women, from the s ection of eunuchs situated right at the entrance, is called the Imperial Gate, the Main Entrance or the Sultanate Door.

The Imperial Gate opens up on the watch posts area binding the three main sections of the harem. The side walls of the guard station are covered with the famous cypress tile panels typical of the Topkapı Harem. It consists o f a domed platform surrounded by an arcade, with on its left side, the door to the Co ncubines Hallway and Concubines and Kadı (Muslim judges) Masters Patio, on its middle, the door to the Sultan Mother Patio and, on its right side, the door leading to the S ultan’s Quarters through the Golden Path. The Patio of the Concubines and Matrons is the smallest courtya rd of the Harem, built in the mid-16th century along with the courtyard of the eunuchs. The baths, the laundry fountain, laundry rooms, kitchen and service spaces used by con cubines and the apartments of the matrons are located behind the rear porches.

The sultan’s mother, wives, children, concubines and eunuchs lived in the harem. Inside, there was a quite animated way of life. Ladies from mainly Crimea, Russia and Circassia were brought here at young age, received a complete education at the palace and, after nine years of service, they were allowed to leave the harem with a certificate of freedom called “Itıkname” and a nice dowry. Education occupied a primary place at the Harem. Musically gifted ladies were taught to play Turkish music instruments. Some of them like for instance Leyla Saz and Dilhayat Kalfa became even well-known composers of Turkish music. Foreigners were not allowed in here. One exception was British envoy Thomas Daloom, the first and only foreign guest ever to enter the Topkapı Pala ce Harem. He came to deliver an organ which was a gift sent by Queen Elizabeth II to the Sultan during the reign of Beyazıd II. Daloom was allowed to enter the Harem in order t o set up the organ there. There are nine big baths at the Harem, equipped with water supp ly and plumbing systems of great quality, calling for admiration even today. Besides, each room has hot and cold water taps. The Harem is equipped with a multitude of doors. Doors disguise d as wardrobe doors often open up onto other rooms or courtyards. This can be regar ded as a security-related architectural detail. On the wall facing the Masters Mosque, there were windows overlooking the prayer room so that women were able to perform the “namaz” (Moslem praying ritual) by following the imam during prayer hour from those windows. Another interesting detail concerning the Harem is the fact that it was a very quiet place notwithstanding the great number of people living in this big a nd bustling place. It was bad manners to raise the voice at the harem. Everything was done in a respectful and quiet manner. A silent form of communication through eyes’ contact and eye brow signs was common practice.

All the furnishings in the Harem were very valuable. Almost every item of art was a sophisticated product. For example, there is a poem in Persian on the back of a mirror from 1520, declaring th at onlookers will become one with the mirror. Topkapı Palace Harem inspired many books and films. Against the backdrop of all the military and political struggles, we are in terested in the most subtle aspects of life within human history. To acknowledge that the Sultan was ultimately a human being, we like to see the silverware he used, to walk on the marble stair she climbed etc. Hence, the Harem will always continue to intrigue and radiate its charm.

Who was the head of the harem?

A castrated male called the Master of Girls who was receiving hisorders directly from the sultan and the grand vizier. It would often be an Arab person who grew up in Egypt. A female person called MistressTreasurer was responsible for the internal discipline of the harem.How were the names of concubines given?The first thing to do when a concubine arrived at the palace was togive her a new name in harmony with her beauty, character or physicalappearance. The name given, sometimes personally by the Sultan, waswritten on a piece of paper pinned on her garment’s chest in order tobe seen and remembered by everybody. Persian names of a poetical nature  with beautiful meanings were usually given; such as, Çeşm-i Ferâh,Hoşnevâ, Handerû, Ruhisâr, Neş’e-yâb and Nergiz-edâ.Which sultan abolished the harem and for which reason? Sultan Vahdettin decided to abolish the Harem deemed no longercompatible with the lifestyles of the modern epoch. He provided material support to those living at the harem at that time, to enable them tocontinue their lives outside.

 

 TURSAB ENG

 

This article has originally appeared in “Müze” Magazine, published quarterly with the contributions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. We would like to thank TÜRSAB Museum Enterprises for sharing this piece with Istanbul Digital Platform followers. 

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