THE WEAPON TREASURY

The Mecidiye Mansion is a late and elegant part of Topkapı Palace.

It was built in the time of Sultan Abdülmecid. He ruled in the 19th century. The mansion was named after him. People also called it the New Mansion. This was because it looked new, and because its style was European.

This style was not by chance. The architect of Dolmabahçe Palace also worked on the Mecidiye Mansion. So the building has a look that belongs to the later years of the Ottoman Empire.

The mansion has a rectangular plan. Its walls are made of limestone. It has tall windows with round arches. These windows begin near the floor, so a lot of light comes inside.

The building has two main parts. One part is the selamlık. This was the formal part, used for guests and official life. The other part is the harem. This was the more private part of the house. Inside, there are two living rooms, six rooms, a bathroom, and service areas.

After the main palace life moved to Dolmabahçe Palace, the sultans still came to Topkapı Palace on special days. At these times, they used the Mecidiye Mansion as a place to rest. One important visit was to the Hırka-i Saadet, the Holy Mantle. The mansion was also used during the color ceremony. It later became a place where foreign guests were received.

The inside shows a change in taste. In older parts of Topkapı Palace, there were built-in divans, hearths, and ceramic panels. Here, these give way to sofas, armchairs, crystal chandeliers, tall mirrors, fireplaces, and 19th-century paintings.

There is a painting of Sultan Abdülmecid in the selamlık part. It is signed by Constantine Crescius. In the harem part, there is a painting of Sultan Mahmud the Second by Eman.