Imperial Hall

This grand room is the Sultan’s Hall, called Hünkâr Sofa.

It was the heart of the selamlık. This was the formal meeting area. Here, the sultan and the palace world came together for important moments.

At times, the room was full of concubines and women of the palace. Ceremonies for a new sultan could be held here. Festival celebrations also took place here. The dynasty watched entertainment shows in this room too.

The hall was built at the end of the 16th century. At first, it was the audience hall of the harem. This hall was called the Divanhane. It also served as the sultan’s chamber.

In the 18th century, the older classical decoration was changed. A baroque style was added. Dutch tiles were also used. The rich decoration shows how important this room was.

The Hünkâr Sofa is also the highest building in the palace. A wooden gallery stood inside it. From there, the concubines would sing and make music for the palace.