Istanbul: Day 2 - Topkapi Palace (the Harem)

We entered the Harem through the 'Arabalar Kapisi'. There is an additional 10 lira that we had to pay to enter the Harem. You can purchase the ticket once you are inside the palace area. The two big mirrors around the entrance and exit area are outstanding. It makes you think how many hours the Harem girl spent in front of the mirror! 'It is being more commonly acknowledged today that the purpose of Harems during the Ottoman Empire were for the royal upbringing of the future wives of noble and royal men. These women would be educated so that they were ready to appear in public as a royal wife. No forms of sexual activity took place in those Harems' (wikipedia). The link here provides more details of the historical information about life in the Harem.

My hubby was doing some stunt...dunno what and why at the Golden Way (Altin Yol) area - near the exit! I was standing in front of the Eunuch Courtyard. In the Imperial Harem, the eunuch played many important roles. Then we entered the Court of the Concubines. There is also another role in the harem, an odalisque. 'An odalisque (Turkish: Odalık) was a virgin female slave who could rise in status to be a concubine or a wife in Ottoman Seraglios. Most were part of the harem of the Turkish sultan' (wikipedia).

Below is the living room of the Sultan's mother, Throne Room and the Hall of Sultan Murat III.

The mother-of-pearl decoration, the wall and ceiling in the crown of princess are really impressive. The Fruit Room/Dining Room has some influences of the Ottoman Tulip era (1718-1730).

Below is the Courtyard of the Favourites and the Harem ladies accommodation area.

We left the Harem through the 'Kushane ' Gate.