Harem section is a large section extending from behind Kubbealti at the Second Courtyard towards the west , till the Chanmber of Sacred Relics located at the Third Courtyard . The harem section was carefully situated in order to provide privacy and secrecy as it could not be seen neither from the state apartments nor from the courtyards where public affairs were conducted . The harem was the home where the sultan himself , his mother , wives , daughters , sons , brothers live together with some of the high ranking female officials who managed the affairs of the household and hundreds of maidservants .
Harem section is itself a complex structure consisting of about 400 rooms , 9 hammams (Turkish Bath) , 2 mosques , 1 hospital , 1 laundry room , in addition to pools and dormitories . The plan of Harem section is rather hierarchical rather than systematic as it consists of dormitories that surround the entrances and divided by doors one after another , rooms , pavilion and service buildings . Large part of the Harem together with the Palace of Justice , the Council of State and the Treasury were burnt in the great fire of 1665 . Repairing of Topkapi palace after the fire as well as reconstruction of a new Harem building , whose interior walls were this
time entirely decorated with tiles , were completed in 1668 . During the restorations after the fire , the complex has been further enlarged . This enlargement together with some other occasional expansions that took place within time , finally formed the Harem section of today .
The first section of Harem begins after Gate of Carts (Arabalar Kapasi) which was referring to Kara Agalar who were the guards of the gate of Harrem section and were from African origins . In this section , there are mainly locations for living and Religious practices . The official and main gate of the Harem is located after this section . This main gate , which is called Cumle Capasi , opens to the three main sections of the Harem . The left side leads to Cariyeler courtyard (where concubines were used to live) , the middle leads to Valide courtyard (the section for the Queen mother ‘Valide’) and the right side leads to The Golden Road (Altinyol) and Mabeyn Courtyard (the section of the sultan and his sons) .
Concubines in Harem section used to be many in numbers ranging form 250 to 1000 and were providing the inner service at the Harem section . They were of different races and were used to be brought to the palace when they are 10-16 years of age where they are taught Turkish
writing and reading , religion , literature , music and handicrafts . They were then employed for general services such as laundry , hammam heaters , pantry and table service . Among the concubines , there were some who rose in rank and some of them even became wives of the sultan like Hurrem Sultan who was from Russian origin , Safiye Sultan who was from Venetian origin , Hatice Turhan Sultan from Russian origin also and Kosem Sultan from Roman origin . Valide sultan or the Queen Mother occupied an important position in the Harem Section . She comes just after the Sultan and even all the senior staff at Harem section took her orders . Because of that , there were large chambers dedicated to Valide Sultan which are located at Valide courtyard that was considered very important location in the Harem section . If the mother of a sultan dies , he could , but only if he wishes so , bring his wet-nurse or the most faithful concubine to the position of Valide Sultan .
Perhaps , one of the largest locations of the Harem is the Hunkar Sofrasi (the Imeperial Hall) . In this large place , meetings , greeting ceremonies in Bayram as well as other events and ceremonies used to be held . Many structures at Harem
actually reflect the classical ottoman architecture style and ornamentation as well as Life style in the different harem sections . Examples of these are Murat III Has Room , Double hammam , Chamber of Ahmet III , Chamber of Ahmet I as well as Cifte Kasirlar (known as the Twin Qasr) . Chamber of Ahmet III which is also known as Dried Fruit Room , specially attracts attention with the paintings of plates of fruits and flowers on its walls .
