Golden Cover of Hacerü'l esved Stone

This golden cover tells a quiet story of faith and travel.

It was made for the Hacerülesved Stone, also called the Black Stone. This holy stone is at the Kaaba in Mecca. Muslims walk around the Kaaba in worship. This walk is called tawaf. According to tradition, Prophet Abraham placed the Hacerülesved Stone to show where this walk begins.

Over time, the stone was protected with covers made of gold or silver. Many hajis touched these covers. A haji is a pilgrim who has made the holy journey to Mecca. Because so many hands touched them, the covers slowly wore out.

When a cover became old, it was sent to Istanbul. These worn covers have been kept here, in Topkapı Palace. They remind us of the long link between the Ottoman sultans, Mecca, and the pilgrims who came from many lands.