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The intrigues of the harem
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10.       Roswitha
4132 posts
 15 Jan 2008 Tue 09:42 pm



At Dolmabahce, kitsch is the word that most readily comes to mind, from the statues in the garden of lionesses tending their cubs, to the orientalist-heavy imagery of paintings expressing eastern ‘mystique’ which the Sultan commissioned Italian and other European artists to paint.



In contrast, Topkapi is a transcendent piece of architecture, with its beautiful proportions and simple elegance. It was interesting to see what the palace’s massive haramlik was really like. The popular idea of the ‘harem’ being the Sultan’s pleasure palace, a massive hall jam-packed with reclining beauties says as much about western fantasies as it does about reality.



Although the Sultan had several wives and concubines, it was not a free-for-all orgy, as some western art would suggest, and there was a strict hierarchy and structure, with each wife occupying her own apartments. The haramlik, as it is more properly known, were really just the living quarters of the Sultan. However, the fact that future sultans were raised here, and wives enjoyed intimate access to the Sultan’s ear, the haramlik was a powerful instrument in state affairs.



11.       kafesteki kus
0 posts
 15 Jan 2008 Tue 10:41 pm

ahhh...not to mention Alhambra
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Spain/Andalucia/Granada/Alhambra/
at least had sth similar with Topkapi..

12.       Roswitha
4132 posts
 15 Jan 2008 Tue 11:28 pm

Wow! Memories, I stood here:
http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Spain/Andalucia/Granada/Alhambra/photo570221.htm

http://www.magicspain.com/andalucia/granada/

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