Where did the Sultan's concubines live (photo)

In our time, we can judge the Sultan and his harem only by historical monuments that have reached us. Now the society is very excited and interested in this topic, therefore, many films are shot about Suleiman the Magnificent. People watch with interest every new series and every new film. But how was it really? Only history can tell about this.

The most famous concubines of the Sultan Suleiman

Of course, at the moment it is impossible to determine exactly how many women were contained in the harem of the Sultan, but history has preserved the names of the most famous, which are interesting to listen to and which I really want to see. Do not also forget that, in addition to the concubines, the Sultan also had a wife, whom you probably already know about.

His name was Roksolana (Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska). Opinions about this woman at the time of Suleiman were extremely controversial. Some said that she was one of the bravest and most powerful women of that age, because she was able to conquer Suleiman’s heart and become his legal wife.

Others did not like her for breaking the stereotypes and foundations of Islamic society. She gave birth to Suleiman five sons and one daughter. The love of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for her lasted a lifetime. Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska was for him a beloved woman, the mother of his children, friend and political adviser.

If you want to find a portrait of Roxolana to see how this woman looked, you will most likely be surprised, because all the portraits are completely different.

This is due to the fact that Roksolana is an ambiguous figure in history. Each artist saw her in his own way and painted her portrait as he saw fit. Now we return to the concubines of the Sultan Suleiman, about whom a lot of interesting things can also be said. Moreover, Suleiman was extremely sincerely attached to some of them.

Fulane Hatun.

It was Suleiman's first love. He met her when he was still very young (at that time he was eighteen years old) and he was considered the crown prince.

Fulane-khatun gave the future sultan a son who, unfortunately, did not live very long - only nine years. Soon, Sultan Suleiman completely lost interest in his concubine and no longer brought her closer to himself.

Gulfem Khatun.

She became a concubine when the sultan was nineteen years old. She gave birth to his son Murad, who lived eight years. Between Suleiman and Gulfem-Khatun, love was short-lived, but the concubine was able to become a friend and aide for the Sultan.

Mahidevran Sultan.

At first, the girl was not Suleiman's darling, but she also bore him a son. The boy was named Mustafa. When sons from other concubines died of smallpox, Mustafa became the sole heir to the throne.

Then Mahidevran became the main favorite of Suleiman, until the Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska, with whom Mahidevran constantly competed, appeared. In the end, the son of Mahidevran was executed, and she herself was in poverty for a long time, until she was rehabilitated.

Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska Sultan took the main place in the life of Suleiman the Magnificent, and her son became the next owner of the throne of the Ottoman Empire.

Where did the Sultan's concubines live?

As you know, the concubines of the Sultan lived in a harem. But what is a harem? This is a small house or palace, where only women lived, the concubines of the Sultan. All the girls were completely different. Mostly concubines were brought from the North Caucasus. But Slavic women were very much appreciated. All potential concubines were examined by doctors.

Fact!

When the girl was only brought to the harem, on the first night they watched her: whether she was snoring and how deep her sleep was.

The information that the girls never left the harem is just a myth.Concubines often traveled around Istanbul and even left its borders.