Serving as an antechamber to the Sultan’s private apartments, the Courtyard of the Favorites was one of the most pivotal spaces in the Harem’s hierarchy. This area housed the apartments of the Gözdes and Ikbals, the concubines who had successfully captured the Sultan’s attention. For a woman of the Harem, to earn a chamber here was a sign of immense favor and the first concrete step on the path to becoming a powerful figure within the dynasty.
The courtyard is directly connected to the Privy Chamber of Murad III and the Imperial Hall, placing its residents in constant proximity to the center of power. Adorned with 17th-century Iznik tiles and a functional portico, this space was not merely a residence but a stage for ambition and hope, where a fleeting glance from the Sultan could forever alter a woman’s destiny.