R. Doug Wicker — Author

There is a very special place within the Topkapi Palace which houses some of the most sacred relics of Islam and the Old Testament. This special place, located in the Third Courtyard, was once the Privy Chambers. Today it is known as the Chamber of the Sacred Relics. The relics contained within range from artifacts that purportedly once belonged to the Prophet Muhammad to items supposedly possessed by David, Joseph, and Abraham (all important figures in Islam as well as Judaism and Christianity; see: Abrahamic Religions). If you plan on passing through this special exhibit, be advised that there is a dress code: No visible knees or shoulders, so sleeveless tops, shorts, and short skirts and dresses are prohibited; additionally, women must wear a headscarf. There are signs admonishing against photography in certain areas as well, but I noticed that this prohibition was routinely ignored even by the Muslims present.

This next display holds swords associated with Muhammad companions Muadh ibn Jabal, Khalid ibn al-Walid, Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Jaʿfar al-Ṭayyar, Ammar ibn Yasir, and Zayn al-Abidin:

There are several such displays of swords in the Chamber of the Sacred Relics:

This next sword once belonged to the Caliph Abu Bakr, the first caliph following the passing of Muhammad.

There are multiple items in the chamber associated with Muhammad, some of which I’ll run through here as I finish for today starting with this case holding the Prophet’s letters:

Letters of the Prophet:

More letters from the Prophet:

Two of the Prophet’s sandals:

A box containing the Prophet’s tooth:

And finally for today, two more of Muhammad’s sandals:

On Wednesday I’ll show you some beautifully crafted Qur’ans and artifacts attributed to David.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)

Today we’ll attempt to get past the imperial eunuch guards and sneak into Imperial Harem in Topkapi Palace. Housed within this 400-room complex were the Valide Sultan (sultan’s mother), wives, concubines (like a wife, only with lower upfront costs and much cheaper monthly payments), as well as their servants. In charge of both the administration and guarding of the harem were the Imperial Harem’s famous black eunuchs. And overseeing the black eunuchs was the chief eunich — the kizlar agha (agha of the house of felicity).

So, let’s begin the tour with what you’ll see in the order in which you will see it, beginning with the dormatory:

Moving beyond the dormatory you’ll arrive at the courtyard of the Zuluflu Baltacilar, home to the harem guards:

Next up, the Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs:

That’s it for today.

Слава Україні! (Slava Ukraini!)