Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Topkapı Palace interior
PETE RYAN/GETTY IMAGES ©
TULIP SULTAN
When he ascended to the throne aged 29, Sultan Ahmet III (r 1703-30) introduced many changes at Top-
kapı. He extended the palace Harem and ordered that a number of new structures be built. These include the
elegant street fountain outside the Imperial Gate that is named in his honour. Ahmet is best known, however,
as the sultan who presided over the period known as the Lâle Devri (Tulip Period). He even introduced an
annual festival to celebrate the blooming of this prized flower. Held over the three days surrounding the first
full moon in April, this fete was staged in the gardens of the palace's Fourth Court, which was specially dec-
orated with vases of tulips and tiny coloured glass lamps. Trilling nightingales in cages provided entertain-
ment, as did palace musicians. Today the annual İstanbul Tulip Festival in April continues the tradition
across the city.
Ahmet III had a large number of concubines and fathered 52 children, 34 of whom died in infancy.
Fourth Court
Pleasure pavilions occupy the palace's Fourth Court, also known as the Tulip Garden.
These include the
Mecidiye Kiosk
, which was built by Abdül Mecit (r 1839-61) accord-
ing to 19th-century European models. Beneath this is the Konyalı restaurant, which serves
cafeteria food at restaurant prices. West of the Mecidiye Kiosk is the
Head Physician's
Pavilion
. Interestingly, the head physician was always one of the sultan's Jewish subjects.
Nearby, you'll see the
Kiosk of Mustafa Pasha
, sometimes called the Sofa Köşkü. Dur-
ing the reign of Ahmet III, the Tulip Garden outside the kiosk was filled with the latest
varieties of the flower.
Up the stairs at the end of the Tulip Garden is the
Marble Terrace
, a platform with a
decorative pool, three pavilions and the whimsical
İftariye Kameriyesi
, a small structure
