DIVAN MEYDANI "DIVAN COURT"

DIVAN MEYDANI ( THE SECOND COURT KNOWN AS "DIVAN COURT" )
The Middle Gate of the Topkapı Palace, known as "Babüsselam" which means the Gate of Greeting, is the official gate of the Topkapi Museum today.


There were many administrative buildings of the state and of the palace in the Second Courtyard to which this gate opens.
On the right side of the Second Courtyard are the imperial kitchen buildings where many dishes were prepared for thousands of people every day and where large and extravagant tables for celebrations were set on special occasions.

Today, these buildings are used as museums and photography and fabric conservation studios. Rich porcelain and glass collections of the palace are also exhibited here.
The Divan Chamber, known as "Divan-i Hümayun" where Divan meetings were held, is also located in the Second Courtyard. The single tower of the Palace is also situated here. Because legal decrees of state were discussed and ordered in the meetings of the Divan, this tower was called the Tower of Justice.
All of istanbul and its harbor can be seen from this tower. Receptions for ambassadors and diplomats as well as state ceremonies also took place in the Second Court during the Ottoman period. For these ceremonies, where up to 10,000 people attended, the imperial throne was placed in front of the gate located at the other side of the court.