A Geographical Description of All the Countries in the Known World, Part 1 · Subpart 192
The Turks Seraglio Described.
In the extreamest North-east angle of Constantinople, standeth the great Turks Seraglio or Palace, compassed with a lofty wall three miles in compasse, comprehending goodly Groves of Cypresse-trees, intermixed with plaines, delicate Gardens, Artificial Fountains, variety of Fruit-trees, and what not rare? Luxury being the Steward, and the Treasury inexhaustible. The proud Palace of the Tyrant opens to the South, having a lofty Gate-house, engraven with Arabick Characters, set forth with Gold, and Azure, all of white Marble: This gate leadeth into a stately Court three hundred yards long, and about one hundred and fifty wide; at the farther end whereof is another gate hung with shields, and Cymiters; this leads into a second Court full of tall Cypresse-trees, being not much lesse than the former. It is Cloistered round about, covered with lead, handsomely paved, and supported with Columns of Marble, which have Chapiters, and Bases of Copper. On the left hand is the Divano kept, where the Bassa's of the Court do administer Justice: Beyond this Court on the right hand is a street of Kitchins, and on the left stalles large enough for five hundred horses. Out of the second Court is an entrance into the third, surrounded with the Royal buildings, large, curious, and costly. Without on the North side stands the Sultan's Cabinet, in form of a sumptuous summer-house, where hee of ten olaceth himself with variety of Objects, and from whence taking barge hee passeth to the delightfull places of the adjoyning Asia. In the Seraglio also, are many stately rooms appropriated to the season of the year, which are called Rooms of fair prospect, into which the Sultan goeth sometimes alone, but more usually with his Concubines for his recreation. Within a fine little Court adorned with very many delicate Fountains is the Chamber wherein hee gives audience to Ambassadors, &c. one part whereof is spread with very sumptuous Carpets of gold, and Crimson velvet, embroydered with very costly Pearls, upon which the grand Signeur sitteth: the walls of the room are covered with fine white stones, having divers sorts of leaves, and artificial Flowers curiously wrought upon them, which make a glorious shew. A little Room adjoyns to it, the whole inside whereof is covered with silver plate, hatched with gold, the floor being spread with rich Persian Carpets of silk, and gold.
There are belonging to the Sultan's lodgings very fair gardens, of all sorts of flowers, and Fruits, that can bee found in those parts; with many very pleasant walks, enclosed with high Cypresse-trees on both sides, and fountains in such abundance, that almost in every walk there are some of them.
Besides the former rooms (which are very many) for the Sultan's own use, there are also the womens lodgings, wherein the Queen, the Sultanaes, and all the Kings women do dwell, and they have in them bed-chambers, dining rooms, with-drawing rooms, and all other kinds of rooms necessary for women.
In another place there are divers Rooms, and lodgings for all the principal, and inferiour Officers so well furnished, that nothing is wanting that is fit, and necessary. Amongst which are two large buildings, one his Wardrob, the other his Treasury, with very thick walls, Iron windows, and Iron doors.
In the Seraglio are Rooms for Prayer, Bagnoes, Schools, Butteries, Kitchins, Stillatories, Swimming places, places to run horses in, wrestling places, butts to shoot at, and all the commodities that may adorn a Prince's Court.
There is also an Hospital for such as fall sick in the Seraglio, in which there are all things necessary for diseased persons: And another large place wherein is kept Timber, Carts, &c. to have them neer hand for the use, and service of the Seraglio.
Over the Stables there is a row of rooms, wherein is kept all the furniture for the horses, which is of an extraordinary value; for the Bridles, Petorals, and Cruppers, are set so thick with jewels of divers sorts, that they cause admiration in the beholders, and exceed Imagination. The Grand Signior's Bed-chamber hath the walls covered with stones of the finest China mettal, spotted with flowers of divers colours, which make a very dainty shew: The Antiportaes were of cloath of gold of Bursia, and their borders of Crimson Velvet, embroidered with gold, and Pearls: The posts of his Bedstead were of silver, hollow, and instead of knobs on the tops, there were Lyons of Crystall; the Canopy over it was of cloth of gold, and so were the Bolsters, and Matteresses: the floor was covered with very costly Persian Carpets of silk, and gold, and the Pallats to sit on, and Cushions were of very rich cloth of gold.
In the hall adjoyning is a very great Lanthorn round, and the bars of silver, and gilt, set very thick with Rubies, Emeralds, and Turkesses; the panes were of very fine Crystal, which made a very resplendent shew. There was also a Bason, and Ewre, to wash in, of massie gold, set with Rubies, and Turkesses.
In Constantinople is a Piazza, in which is raised upon four Dice of fine Mettal, a very fair Pyramid of mingled stone all of one peice, fifty Cubits high, carved with Heroical letters, resembling the Agulia of Rome, in whose top were the enclosed ashes of Julius Caesar: In the same Piazzo also is a great Pillar of Brasse, made with marvellous Art, in form of three serpents wreathed together with their mouths upward.
There are in Constantinople eighteen thousand Mosques, great and small: In the chief place of it are two Burses, built four square, high, and round at top, each having four gates opening upon four streets, round about garnished with shops, stuffed with all sorts of rich, and costly wares of inestimable value, as precious stones, Pearls, Sables, and other rich Furs of all sorts; Silk, and cloath of gold: Bows, Arrows, Bucklers, and Swords: Here also they fell Christian Slaves of all ages, as wee sell horses, the buyers looking them in the eyes, mouth, and all other parts, which is done every forenoon, except Fridayes, which is their Sabbath. The Bassa's also in sundry places have built fair houses, encompassed with high walls, which outwardly have no beauty: but inwardly full of all riches▪ and pleasure, the world can afford: For they use to say, that they build not to please passers by, but for their own Commodity.