Black Eunuchs Stone Courtyard

This stone courtyard was linked to the Black Chiefs, known as Kara Ağalar.

These men were castrated male servants. This means their bodies had been changed so they could not have children. Because of this, they were trusted to work in the private harem.

The harem was the private home of the sultan and his family. This courtyard was the first entrance to that private world. But it was still only the outer part. The harem itself began after this area.

This part of the palace was built in the first half of the 16th century. It was built when Hürrem Sultan moved to the palace. Hürrem Sultan was the wife of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent.

Later, a great fire damaged this area in 1665. After that, all these buildings were repaired and renewed. The wall tiles here are from the 17th century.

The Black Chiefs also had their own prayer room here.

An iron gate connected this area with the Has Garden, the sultan’s private garden. It also led toward the city. The road was covered with small stones, so the sultan’s horse would not slip or stumble. A marble mounting block helped the sultan get onto his horse.

This area was also close to the Tower of Justice. From that tower, there was a wide view of Istanbul. The sultan could listen to meetings of the divan from a window. The divan was the high council of the Ottoman state.

The chambers of the harem chiefs also belonged to this part of the palace.