- Binbirdirek Mah. Klod Farer Cad. Güven Apartmanı No:2/302 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
- Open 08:00-22:00: Monday - Sunday
- drop us an email info@istanbulguideservices.com
- 24/7 service +90 555 6022454
The Legacy of Ottoman Sultans and Princes
The Ottoman Empire, reflecting its vast geography and deep cultural heritage, developed numerous traditions and value systems. One of the most striking pieces of this legacy is the preservation and safekeeping of the garments of Ottoman sultans and princes. The Collection of Sultan's Garments serves as a valuable treasure that symbolizes the grandeur, legitimacy, and continuity of the Ottoman dynasty.
This tradition, which began in the time of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, involved the bundling and safeguarding of sultans' and princes' garments in the Enderûn Treasury. This custom held symbolic significance, reinforcing the status and authority of the dynasty. The preservation of sultan garments represented the legitimacy and continuity of the royal family. However, since there was no tradition of preserving garments for the female members of the royal family, the collection contains only a limited number of women’s clothing.
In Ottoman palace tradition, kaftans, turbans, and coverings belonging to deceased sultans or royal family members were placed atop the sarcophagi in their tombs. This practice traces back to the ancient Turkic customs from Central Asia brought to Anatolia. By including these garments in the palace collection, the Ottomans enriched this legacy, symbolically preserving the identity and status of sultans even after their passing.
The Collection of Sultan's Garments contains attire of Central Asian origin, demonstrating the Ottomans' commitment to traditional Turkish clothing and how they preserved these styles over centuries. These garments reveal insights into how Turkish attire evolved during the Ottoman period, highlighting the Ottomans' respect for their Central Asian heritage.
With the Ottoman Empire’s Westernization efforts, traditional garments were gradually replaced by Western-style uniforms such as trousers and jackets. During this period, sultans and state officials began wearing new Western clothing items like coats, boots, and the fez. This transformation reflects a significant socio-cultural shift within Ottoman society.
The Seferli Koğuş, initially established as a residence for the Seferli unit, responsible for preparing garments for the sultan’s campaigns, eventually became an artistic center. Musicians, archers, wrestlers, barbers, and bath attendants, along with other artisans, were trained here. It also served as a display space for the everyday and ceremonial garments of the Ottoman sultans, princes, and royal women, as well as uniforms from the late Ottoman period.
In the ground floor of the Seferli Koğuş, the finest pieces of the "Sultan’s Garment Collection," along with stunning accessories, are exhibited. This floor also includes Talismanic Shirts, garments adorned with prayers, verses, symbols, and decorations, worn by sultans under their armor for protection. These unique pieces reflect the sultans' belief in protection.
The upper floor is dedicated to the garments of princes and royal women, offering rare examples that provide insight into the private lives of the Ottoman dynasty.
The Collection of Sultan’s Garments is a tangible reflection of Ottoman palace life, the power of the dynasty, and the evolution of art and craftsmanship over centuries. The collection combines the deep-rooted traditions of the Ottoman Empire with the changes brought by Westernization, revealing the empire’s connection to both its history and Turkish culture. Today, this collection stands as a valuable treasure, showcasing the grandeur and heritage of the Ottoman dynasty.
Thu, Nov 7, 2024 2:55 PM
Comments (Total 0)
