istanbul - C2C

40
The road leads from Bab-ı Hümayun to
another gate which, on both sides, has towers
resembling a medieval castle. This is the Bab-üs
Selam Kapısı (Gate of Salutation) connecting two
courtyards. The gate is opened to the second
courtyard where you cannot fail to notice the
ticket offices and x-ray security devices mounted
on high platforms. These were actually designed
to provide vantage points for high state officials
and military officers who took part in the Divan
(Imperial Council) meetings.
The second courtyard is named the Divan
Meydanı (Courtyard of the Imperial Council).
Ulufe, the quarterly wages of the soldiers of
Ottoman military, was distributed from this
square. The audiences of the embassies
were also held in this courtyard. As in the first
courtyard, here a road (the Vizier’s Road) leads
to the Divan-ı Hümayun (Chamber of Imperial
Council) and the Bab-üs Saade (Gate of Felicity).
To the right of the courtyard is the first building
opened to visitors, the Saray Mutfakları (Palace
Kitchens), which has high chimneys. The
kitchens were originally built in the 15th century,
Aya İrini