Summary:
This article investigates the Old Palace (Eski Saray), which was built by Fatih Sultan Mehmed II shortly after the conquest of Istanbul and served as the first sultana’s palace in Istanbul before Topkapi Palace. Despite continuous alterations and its eventual demolition, the Old Palace remains an important example of Ottoman palatial architecture. Though overshadowed by the present-day Topkapi Palace, this article sheds light on the historical significance of the Old Palace.
The article aims to reveal a schematic plan and function of the first Istanbul Old Palace in the 1450s by utilizing contemporary written and pictorial documents. It particularly states that the palace was devoted to the harem, meaning the inner courtyard (enderun) and the sultan’s harem were central to the main function of the palace. According to N. Necipoğlu, Topkapi Palace was a new type of palace with new ceremonial aspects, different from Mehmed II’s initial intentions for the Old Palace.
After Mehmed II’s main residence moved to Topkapi Palace around 1478, the function of the Old Palace changed, serving as a temporary residence and housing women who had married former Ottoman Sultans. This indicates an evolution in the Old Palace’s role within the palace complex, with Topkapi Palace assuming administrative and ceremonial functions.The study addresses the comparative position of the Old Palace with Topkapi Palace, emphasizing its significance as an important palace complex in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The article also details the palace’s boundaries, especially its north-south axis and various walls. This analysis offers valuable insights into the evolution of Ottoman palace architecture and the urban structure of early Istanbul.
To read the full article: Academia
Satoshi Kawamoto
