Hass Bahce (Palace Gardens)

Sultan Mehmed II established the Hass Bahce, the imperial gardens, in the 1460 and 70s. Reminiscent of the Byzantine tradition of the Roman villa, they aimed to fuse pleasure, utility, and profit. Especially noteworthy is the outer garden of the Topkapi palace, which incorporates remains of the Byzantine acropolis within cypress-lined stepped terraces. The microcosm of rare plants, animals, and minerals from different parts of the Empire meant to represent the three kingdoms of nature. Rectangular flowerbeds surrounded garden pavilions and kiosks; and there were pools, fountains, vineyards, pastures, woods, vegetable gardens, as well as herds of wild and domestic animals. In 1795, Sultana Adidge, sister to Selim III, appointed German artist Antoine-Ignace Melling Imperial Architect. In the 18 years in which Melling held his post, he worked on multiple Ottoman buildings along the Bosphorus and designed gardens, interiors, clothing and jewelry. In 1803 Melling returned to Paris and began producing a monumental collection of copper engravings, his Voyage Pittoresque. By 1819 all 12 issues with a total of 48 plates and 3 maps were published. This example shows the Court of Janissaries, looking towards Bab-us Selam (the Salutation Gate) through which only the Sultan may enter. Furthermore, the Armoury (Hagia Irene) and the Mint are visible to the right.