The interior of the Sünnet Odası (Circumcision Room), in the north corner of the palace. This room was originally built around 1530 as a summer pavilion, and renewed in 1640.
From the early 18th century on the royal princes were solemnly circumcised here, which was the occasion for grandiose festivities lasting for twenty days and nights.

On the picture: The large fireplace with a gilded hood, the walls covered with 17th century Iznik tiles, the painted ceiling and the colourful stained glass windows. The latter were not usual in Istanbul, since the weather here is often cloudy; therefore windows had usually the regular glass, to let sunlight freely in. Here a compromise was used: the center stayed regular glass, with stained glass all around.

The large panels of the ceiling decoration are inspired on the tiled walls of the room. The intermediate bands are executed in so-called ‘kalem işi’ (= work of the pen/paintbrush), which is inspired on the geometric or stylised ornamentations used by Ottoman calligraphers to illuminate books. This is an example of the Islamic passion for relating areas and objects of disparate size and purpose through their decoration.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Sources: Websites of ‘3dmekanlar.com’ & ‘topkapisarayi.gov.tr’
& ‘Istanbul, Topkapı paleis’ (Atrium cultuurgidsen).