Concubines' Courtyard and Bath opened to visitors at Topkapı Palace
Some of the restoration activities planned in stages by the National Palaces Administration for the Harem section of Topkapı Palace have been completed.
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As part of the efforts, the Concubines' Courtyard and the Concubines' Bath, along with the Birdhouse Kitchen (Kuşhane Mutfağı), have been opened to visitors for the first time with a new exhibition layout.
In the newly opened sections, displays have been created using objects selected from the National Palaces Collections and silicone statues reflecting the characteristic features of the period.
'RESTORATIONS ARE ONGOING'
Speaking to members of the press on the subject, İlhan Kocaman, Head of the National Palaces Topkapı Palace Department, said, "We aim to quickly bring the restored sections of Topkapı Palace to our visitors. In this direction, our restorations are continuing in the Harem, particularly in the section known as the Concubines' Courtyard, where the Consorts' Apartments, the Concubines' Dormitory, and the Concubines' Bath are located."
'WE WILL BRING THEM TO VISITORS'
Pointing out that they began the restoration process of Topkapı Palace in 2019, Kocaman stated, "We have completed the restorations of these sections in periods, especially regarding both the Harem and the sections in the third courtyard. The restorations of the Expeditionary Force Dormitory (Seferli Koğuşu), the Treasury Dormitory, and the Sacred Relics in the third courtyard, as well as the Black Eunuchs' quarters and the Sultan's Apartments in the Harem, are nearing completion. Hopefully, we will bring those to our visitors soon."
The Concubines' Courtyard, the Concubines' Bath, and the Birdhouse Kitchen, which are among the most curious parts of the Harem section, can be visited every day except Tuesday between 09:00 and 17:00.
The new sections opened after restoration in the palace are quite remarkable as they house the structures where the Ottoman Harem organization was shaped.
The Concubines' and Consorts' Courtyard, one of these sections, is known as the smallest courtyard of the Harem, and it is surrounded by dormitories belonging to the Consorts and concubines.
Built in the mid-16th century, the Courtyard contains areas where daily needs such as baths, laundry, and pantries were met, in addition to the apartments. The Concubines' and Consorts' Bath, one of these areas, was opened to visitors for the first time in its history following meticulously conducted restoration work.
The bath, one of the oldest structures in the palace, consists of three sections: the cold room, the warm room, and the hot room. Works reflecting the features of the period and the bath culture are exhibited in the bath.
In the Birdhouse Kitchen, which was opened to visitors with a modern exhibition layout after restoration, there are objects including tombac, silver, and copper vessels and spoons selected from the Topkapı Palace Collection. At the same time, silver examples of the pots called 'kuşhane', which are thought to have given the kitchen its name, are also on display.
A silicone statue, which reflects the characteristic features of the period with its costume and typical traits and appears as if it is preparing food in the kitchen, also takes visitors on a journey through history.
Other sections located in the Concubines' and Consorts' Courtyard, whose restorations are in the completion stage, are also planned to be opened to visitors within the year.