Imperial Sofa

This peaceful part of Topkapı Palace had a special name. It was not called a courtyard. It was called the Imperial Sofa, known as Sofa-i Hümayun.

Here, the word “sofa” means an open royal terrace. It does not mean a sofa in a home. This was the fourth part of the palace. It had pools, flowers, and small pavilions called kiosks. Only the sultans could use this part.

The two-domed marble platform saw many important moments. Sultan Süleyman, known as the Lawgiver, met Barbaros here. Barbaros was a great Ottoman sea commander.

Sultan Osman II made an important decision here. He decided to begin the Hotin expedition. Later, the circumcision feasts for the sons of Sultan Ahmed III were held here. In Ottoman life, these feasts were great palace celebrations.

The terrace had different kinds of marble. The marble came from Mediterranean countries. It showed the wealth and power of the empire.

There was also a window seat over the pool. This seat was for the sultan. A marble water channel began at the fountain in Has Oda, the Privy Chamber. It was decorated with mosaics. It carried water to the pool. This channel dates from the early 16th century.