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Topkapi Palace Harem | Discover the Sultan’s Living Quarters
Topkapi PalaceTopkapi Palace Harem
The Topkapi Palace harem, a secluded section of the iconic Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, served as the private quarters for Ottoman rulers and their families. Dating back to the 16th century, it housed the sultan's wives, concubines, and children. Characterized by its intricate architecture and beautifully tiled chambers, the harem provides insights into the private lives of the Ottoman rulers.
Quick facts about Topkapi Palace Harem
Official name: Topkapi Palace Harem
Address: Topkapi Palace Museum, Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Date of construction: 16th Century
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
About Topkapi PalaceWhy visit the Topkapi Palace Harem
Historical Significance: Home to the Sultan's mother, wife, and other prominent women, the harem played a significant role as a center of Ottoman power and family life.
Cultural Insight: The harem provides a unique perspective into the lifestyle of sultans, concubines, their families as well as Ottoman customs and traditions.
Architectural Elegance: The ornate chambers, adorned with lavish decor and exquisite tiles, showcase the opulent design that characterized the private quarters.
Opulent Chambers: The lavish living spaces tell a story of luxury and status within the intricately designed harem complex.
Construction of the Topkapi Palace Harem
The Topkapi Palace Harem was built towards the end of the 16th century. It consisted of around 400 magnificently tiled rooms and chambers connected by courtyards and gardens with fountains. It was home to over 1,000 women, children, eunuchs, and their servants.
Like the other areas of Topkapi Palac, the harem too underwent renovations and additions under the reigns of the different Ottoman Sultans. Successive rulers made changes and expanded the palace and harem, which resulted in its medley of Ottoman, European, and Islamic architecture and décor.
Topkapi Palace HistoryHighlights of Topkapi Palace Harem
With more than 400 rooms, the harem had many sections dedicated to specific people or purposes.
Gate of Carts or Domed Cupboard Chamber
The entrance to the harem from the Second Courtyard is called the Gate of Carts. The path then leads to the Domed Cupboard Room. Built by Murad III, it was created as a vestibule for the harem. Records of deeds of trust from pious foundations of the harem were preserved in the cupboards and were administered by the Chief Harem Eunuch.
Hall of the Ablution Fountain
The Hall of the Ablution Fountain, also known as ‘Sofa with Fountain’, was an entrance hall into the harem and was guarded by the Harem Eunuchs. The Privy Garden, the Harem, the Tower of Justice and the Mosque of the Eunuchs are all connected by the Büyük Biniş (The Big Mount) and the Şal Kapısı (Shawl Gate), which further led to the Hall of Ablution Fountain.
Courtyard of the Eunuchs
The Courtyard of Eunuchs is the very first courtyard in the Harem and at the end of the court is the apartment of the black chief eunuch. The eunuchs here worked as guards and were commanded by the Chief Harem Eunuch. The place includes the dormitory of the Harem Eunuchs, the quarters of the Chief Harem Eunuch, and the School of the Princes.
Harem main entrance
The Harem’s main entrance separated the Harem from the Courtyard of the Eunuchs. This door leads to a sentry post to which three main sections of the Harem are connected. The door on the left leads to the Court of the Concubines, the door on the right heads to the Sultan’s quarters, and the middle door leads to the Court of the Valide Sultan.
Courtyard of the Sultan's Consorts and the Concubines
The Courtyard of the Sultan’s Consorts and the Concubines came into being in the middle of the 16th century and is the smallest courtyard of the Harem after its restoration after the 1665 fire. It is surrounded by baths, dormitories, apartments of the Sultan’s chief consort, and the residence of the stewardesses.
Apartments of the Queen Mother
The Apartments of the Queen Mother and the Sultan form the largest and the most important section of the entire Harem. Also constructed in the late 16th century, the lower story was occupied by the concubines and the upper story was occupied by the Queen Mother along with her ladies-in-waiting. After the 1665 fire, the apartments had to be rebuilt, and new rooms like the small music room were added later in the 18th century.
Baths of the Sultan and the Queen Mother
The Baths of the Sultan and the Queen Mother is a double bath facility that dates from the late 16th century, consisting of numerous rooms within. The baths were redecorated in the mid-18th century in rococo style. Made of multiple rooms, each room has a dome or a honeycomb glass ceiling to let natural light in.
Imperial Hall
With the largest dome in the palace, the Imperial Hall functioned as the Sultan’s official reception hall and also entertainment for the Harem. The Sultan’s throne sits in this room. The galleries would be occupied by Sultan’s consorts, who were headed by the Queen Mother. There is also a secret door behind a mirror that allowed the Sultan safe passage.
Emperors’ Privy Chambers
The harem houses the privy chambers of the Ottoman Sultans, including Murat III, Ahmed I, and Ahmed III. Murat III’s chamber is the oldest and the most intact room from the 16th century. Constructed by master architect Sinan, it has one of the finest doors of the palace and has retained its original interiors. The walls of Ahmed I’s chamber are beautifully decked with İznik glazed tiles.
Twin Kiosk/Apartments of the Crown Prince
The Twin Kiosk/Apartments of the Crown Prince is a building consisting of two privy chambers and is connected to the palace. It consists of one story that is constructed over an elevated platform and offers a great view from the inside while also shielding views from the outside.
Courtyard of the Favorites
Overlooking a massive pool alongside the Boxwood Garden lies the Courtyard of the Favorites, which is also the last section of the Harem. It was eventually expanded with the addition of the Interval and Favorites apartments in the 18th century. When one of the Favorites became pregnant, she would assume the title of the official consort of the Sultan.
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Golden Road
Dating back to the 15th century, the Golden Road is a passage that forms the axis of the Harem and extends between the Privy Chamber and the Courtyard of the Harem Eunuch. The Sultan would use this passage to reach the Harem, the Hall of the Ablution Fountain, the Imperial terrace, and the Privy Chamber.
Aviary and Harem Gate
At this corner of the courtyard was a small inner court that existed till the late 19th century. This court led towards the Kushane Gate, which further led towards the Harem. Today, this is where the visitors to the Harem exit from. Birds for the Sultan’s table were raised around this gate.
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Frequently asked questions about the Topkapi palace Harem
What is Topkapi Palace Harem?
The Topkapi Palace Harem is the private quarters of the Ottoman Sultan, where he resided along with his extended family – the Queen Mother and his concubines.
Who lived inside Topkapi Palace Harem?
The Topkapi Palace Harem contained over 400 rooms where the Sultan, the Valide Sultan (Queen Mother), the Sultan's wives, concubines, children, extended family, and their servants lived.
Who took care of the Topkapi Palace Harem?
The responsibility of overlooking and organizing the entire Harem at Topkapi Palace was done by the Queen Mother or Valide Sultan.
How many chambers are there inside Topkapi Palace Harem?
There are over 400 rooms magnificently tiled and decorated rooms inside the Topkapi Palace Harem.
What is inside Topkapi Palace Harem?
The Topkapi Palace Harem has more than 400 rooms as well as courtyards and gardens. They include the Sultan’s apartments, the Queen Mother’s Apartments, the Emperor's Privy Chambers, the Courtyard of the Sultan’s Consorts and Concubines, Turkish baths, rooms of the Chief Black Eunuch, the Imperial Hall, and much more.
Is Topkapi Palace Harem open for visits?
Yes, the Topkapi Palace Harem is open for visits. Not all of the rooms in the Harem are open to the public, but you can visit some of the most important ones. Book your Topkapi Palace tickets online!
How do I take a tour of the Topkapi Palace Harem?
You can only visit the Topkapi Palace Harem through a guided tour. If you purchase just an entry ticket to Topkapi Palace, you will have to buy separate tickets for the Harem at the booth and head in along with a tour guide. To ensure a smooth visit to the harem, book your Topkapi Palace tickets online.
