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The Harem is where most people believed in the crazy myths of the Sultan and his many concubines and wives. In reality, these were just the family quarters. The Harem can house up to three hundred wives and concubines though. Islam forbids enslaving Muslims, Christians or Jews so the women that lived in the Harem are foreigners, usually sold into slavery or given as gifts. The Sultan was permitted to have four legitimate wives and as many concubines as he can take care of.
The pictures at the bottom give an example of the inner chambers of the Harem. These rooms are like living room areas. The most impressive thing at the Harem (no pictures though) were the bathrooms. They were divided into three rooms: a dressing room, a massage room, and a bathing room. Guess there is a reason why Turkish baths are so famous. |
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