Topkapi Palace - Second Courtyard
Tower of Justice
Second Courtyard of Topkapi Palace is also called Divan Square and it starts from the Gate of Salutation at the end of first courtyard. On the left side stand the Tower of Justice and the Domed Chamber (Kubbealtı); the latter is where meetings of the Imperial Council (Divan-ı Humayun) were held. Near the Domed Chamber stands the External Treasury, currently home to the museum’s weapons collection. In this corner of the courtyard is the Carriage Gate leading to the Harem apartments. The tower was built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II as a symbol of the imperial court. Following the 1665 fire in the palace, the tower was rebuilt in stone.
Sukhumi Fortress Monument
The Sukhumi Fortress Monument This monument, near the Gate of Felicity, consists of the inscription panel commemorating the construction by Sultan Ahmed III of the fortress built in Sukhumi, a city located in Abkhazia on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. The monument bears the calligraphic seal (tuğra) of Sultan Abdülhamid II who had the panel removed from the fortress at the close of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 when it became clear that the Ottomans were going to lose the fortress.
Palace kitchen
Palace kitchens are located in the Second Courtyard, some of them date back to the 15th century.
These famous kitchens were built by Sinan and they are on the Sea of Marmara side. Following the fire of 1574, the kitchens were repaired and restructured by the architect Sinan. The roof of the Imperial Kitchens consists of ten domes and ten spires.
Gate of Felicity
The Gate of Felicity (Bab-al Saadet) is the entrance into the Inner Court, also known as the Third Courtyard. In the past,no one could pass this gate without the authority of the Sultan. The Gate of Felicity, whose imposing appearance symbolizes the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire and its ruler, served as the entrance to the private residence of the sultan. Also known as the Gate of the White Eunuchs (Akagalar Kapısı), it was first constructed on the order of Sultan Mehmed II and was originally fronted by four columns; these were later removed and the shape of the gate was changed (an inscription above the gate’s arch commemorates its restoration in 1774).
Imperial Council
Imperial Council was the place where all ministerial meetings were held. It is also known as Divan-i Humayun. The first Council chambers in the palace were built during the reign of Mehmed II. The first Council Hall was a wooden structure but the present building dates from the period of Süleyman the Magnificent. Strangely, the Ottoman Sultans would not participate in the meetings held at the Council Hall. If sultan was unhappy about any decisin either he would close the curtain or he will tap the grill.
From the 18th century onwards, the place began to lose its original importance, as state administration was gradually transferred to the Sublime Porte. The last meeting of the Council in the palace chambers was held on Wednesday, August 30, 1876.
