Suleiman the Lawgiver

This replica from the 16th century exhibited in your room is of
one of the 87 talismanic shirts from the Collection of Sultan’s Clothing at
Topkapi Palace and it is considered to have belonged to Sultan Suleiman
according to the prayers, motives and meanings of the talisman on the shirt
and therefore was adorned with one of his
poems…

May this Talisman make your
justice everlasting, clear your path; keep the evil away, give you infinite
health…

He was called the Lawgiver
because of his understanding of justice. He was called Suleiman the
Magnificent not only in his homeland but in every end of the world, because
of the actions he took…

He was an uncommon Sultan who was
smart, gentle and wise; a friend for all poets; whose actions and words were
kind; whose heart was home to all monetary and moral
favours.

He had countless mosques, schools, baths and
fountains built on almost every corner of his country. It was one of his
biggest monuments, the infamous The Blue Mosque built by Sinan the Architect.
During his time the grandness of Turks was proved. Great Sinan the Architect
presented his grandiose work of art to his Sultan saying "Oh my
Sultan, I built you such a mosque that it will stand still until the end of
all times.".

He was the 10th Sultan of Ottoman
Empire… He was a legend, his signature was there under everything… Prayers
were said all over the homeland for him to come victorious out of every
battle and continue his enthronement. A shirt was tailored for him. A shirt
from cambric… Many toilsome days, months and years passed. The shirt was
graced with prayers to keep its owner safe and healthy. Talisman must protect
him, give him health… There was more to do for his country… On upper right
and left sides of the shirt were there Seal of Solomon… It was a symbol of
power and greatness… And the prayers were good wishes from God…

Suleiman
was ill, he was walking, one day, along the matchlessly beautiful gardens of
Topkapi Palace. All those various flowers were forerunners of spring. His
love Hurrem and his country were his two biggest irreplaceable desires… Along
with many other characteristics he had, Suleiman the Magnificent was a great
poet; he sat, that day, at the arbour and voiced his infamous
verses…

"There isn’t another
respected value like power among people
Power isn’t worth as much as
a breath of health in this
world"

"Happiness and
blessings come along with bitterness and pain in life. People may encounter
many troubles and unfortunate events. However, nothing is as important as
health. One single breath must be valued so much; the whole world means
nothing to the dead" said Suleiman the
Magnificent.

There is a poem Suleiman penned for his love
Hurrem on the shirt presented in your room…