<Vernicious Knids: a blog from Tokyo, Japan with random musings and snapshots about life, love, travel and everything in between...Especially the 2006 World Cup!>

These 2 mirrors are on opposite walls of the main door of the Harem. The eunuchs kept a continuous watch here:

The Valide Sultan - Mother of the Sultan - ruled the Harem:

She could own property in her own name and controlled it through the Eunuchs:

She was able to give orders directly to the Grand Vizier and influenced the Sultan on wife and concubine selection, as well as matters of state:

Hundreds of eunuchs lived in the Harem and were responsible for its security:

The sultan would enter the private gardens or go to the city through this area:

This pebble path prevented the Sultan's horse from skidding:

Entrance to Topkapi Palace's Harem:

Elaborate calligraphy and Iznik tiles combined to great effect:

Iznik tile:

Harem means private, not open to all - the harem is the private living quarters of a family:

The Harem has 6 levels, but we only get to visit a few of the rooms on one level:

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