Harem

This is effectively a separate complex within the place. The main entrance is via the Carriage Gate,dated 1558, from the second court. While there is a second gate-the Kuþhane Gate from the third court and the 'şal' gate. The carriage gate is flanked by the barracks of the Crested Halberdiers-the sultan's privy guards, and abutts the chambers of the sacred relics on the other side. It is set on a sloping site.Over teh 400 years of habitation in the harem, it was added to, restored and changed at various times. It contains 250 rooms, several baths and inner courts. Some of the more notable chambers include the apartments of the black Eunichs, who were responsible for running the harem, the slaves apartments and hospital, the apartments of the heir elect and the dowager sultan, crown price's apartments and the chambers of the favorites. In addition was the sultan's privy chambers, which were a complex in themselves. Although the harem has not been inhabited by the sultan and his retiue for over a century, it is know that some old court retainers lived in the harem section of Topkapı up to 1908. The wealth and variety of faience of different periods is one of the most notable features of the Harem . The museum collection consists of artefacts collected from various parts of the palace, which are now kept in different section according to their classification. The sections include those of Chinese and european porcelain, arms and armour, costume and carriages, besides the most valuable jewellry, encrusted medals and medalions and other artefacts in the precious metals or encrusted with precious stones. Apart from these, the palace also possesses a valuable collection of paintings.