WHAT IS SULTANATE OF WOMEN?
It was the time when wives and mothers of sultans ruled the empire. From 1566, when Suleiman the Magnificent died, until 1683 – there were nine different Ottoman sultans. But several of them were children when they came to the throne. So, their mothers ruled from the harem, as regents with absolute power.
Most visitors to Istanbul only see the most famous historic buildings: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. But, Ottoman Istanbul is much more than just these iconic sites.
However, there are many interesting angles that you can follow when you explore the city. I hope that this post will inspire you to visit structures that I’m going to mention and that you will properly understand their historical context and significance.
The women that I’m talking about are: Hurrem Sultan, Mihrimah Sultan, Nurbanu Sultan, Safiye Sultan, Kosem Sultan and Turhan Hatice Sultan.
Two more women – Handan Sultan and Halime Sultan – appeared in that period too, but they had less influence. Additionally, I couldn’t find anything in their name.
In this post, you will find out about historic sites in Istanbul related to Safiye Sultan. Of course, I’m not saying that this is all that exists in her name. For example, there is a mosque in Cairo that carries her name.
SAFIYE SULTAN
The next powerful woman in the Sultanate of Women was Safiye Sultan. She was Haseki Sultan of Sultan Murad III. She became very powerful after Nurbanu Sultan’s and especially after Murad’s death. Her son became the new sultan, Mehmed III, and she became Valide Sultan. It means that she also held two most powerful titles within the Ottoman Empire.
Safiye lived in the Topkapi Palace during the reign of seven sultans: Suleiman the Magnificent, Selim II, Murad III, Mehmed III, Ahmed I, Mustafa I and Osman II.
As per Venetian sources, she was an Albanian that became a concubine of Şehzade Murad, the eldest son of future Sultan Selim II. In 1566, the year when Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent died, she gave birth to Murad’s first son, Şehzade Mehmed.
Sultan Selim II died in 1574. However, despite the fact that she officially took the Haseki Sultan title, she couldn’t thrive. Murad’s mother Nurbanu Sultan, together with the Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, continued to dominate the state affairs and the harem.
To prevent further conflict between Nurbanu and Safiye, Sultan Murad III sent Safiye to the Old Palace in 1580, where she lived until Nurbanu’s death in 1583.
SAFIYE SULTAN – SUPREME RULER OF THE EMPIRE
Safiye returned to the Topkapi Palace and took charge of the harem. She also started to interfere in state affairs and became one of the most powerful characters of Sultan Murad’s reign.
Sultan Murad III died in 1595 and Safiye’s son, Mehmed, became the new sultan. That event marked the beginning of Safiye’s supreme dominance within the Ottoman Empire, that lasted until Sultan Mehmed III’s death in 1603.
Her son discussed all important matters with her and never took any decision without her approval. Members of the public and civil servants went directly to her when they needed help, they were even throwing themselves in front of her carriage to attract her attention.
Safiye’s power was so immense that she presided over the appointments and dismissal of the Grand Vizier and Shaykh al-Islam, in addition to everyone else employed by the state.
She was also responsible for the execution of her grandson Mahmud in 1603. Mahmud was not happy with Safiye’s grip on power and she saw him as a threat to her and her son’s reign.
Sultan Mehmed III died in 1603 and his son, Ahmed, became the new sultan. He immediately stripped Safiye of power and sent her to the Old Palace. That event marked the end of her 19 year supreme reign.
YENI MOSQUE
One of the most recognisable Istanbul’s landmarks is the Yeni Mosque in Eminönü. Safiye Sultan started its construction in 1597.
By constructing a mosque in that part of the city, Safiye Sultan wanted to impose the Islamic dominance on what was a mainly Jewish neighbourhood.
But Safiye’s son Sultan Mehmed III died in 1603 and she lost all power. The new Sultan Ahmed I abandoned the project and redirected the energy and funds on what will become the biggest and most famous Ottoman imperial mosque in Istanbul – the Blue Mosque.
After these events, the construction site turned into ruins which were further severely damaged by the 1660 Great Fire.
In that same year, the imperial architect Mustafa Ağa proposed to Turhan Hatice Sultan to complete the mosque. She accepted and also instructed that the Spice Bazaar is built as part of the imperial complex. The new mosque opened for prayers in 1665. Its initial name was Yeni Valide Sultan Mosque, but over time it became Yeni Mosque.
When I was in Istanbul back in 2019, they were restoring this mosque. They kept only a small part open for prayers, but were not letting tourist in. This time, I could see it in its full glory.
I couldn’t find anything else in Istanbul that’s related to her, although there is a mosque with her name in Cairo, the Al-Malika Safiye Mosque.
SAFIYE SULTAN TOMB
She died in 1619, 16 years after she had been banished to the Old Palace. She is buried in the Sultan Murad III mausoleum, next to Hagia Sophia.
You can easily guess that her coffin is in the centre of the mausoleum, next to her husband Sultan Murad III. This is also an outstanding historic site, beautifully decorated with Iznik tiles.
You can find many articles about Safiye Sultan on the internet. However, if you study or you are just interested in this fascinating part of Ottoman history, hopefully this post will help you better understand Safiye’s life seen through her legacy in modern-day Istanbul.
With one of the most recognisable buildings in the city closely related to her, she will be remembered forever or, at least, for as long as the Yeni Mosque exists.
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