We were invited to visit the Sultan’s treasury, and our invitation card said we would be received at 11:30 a.m. We arrived a little earlier than that. When we got there, we saw that the custodians were already waiting. They had lined up their guards in two rows, standing opposite each other, ready for the opening ceremony.
A Strict and Formal Opening Process
There were two chief custodians in charge of the treasury. The first custodian walked up and unlocked his part of the door. Then the second custodian stepped forward and used his own keys to open the other locks. Each of these men was joined by at least twelve guards Reaching Robert College by Boat.
According to strict rules, none of the locks could be opened unless everyone was present. If even one guard had been missing, we would have had to wait for him—or even return on another day. This shows how carefully the Sultan’s treasures are protected.
The Cost of Viewing Royal Treasures
All of the guards expected a generous tip for their time and effort. Altogether, the cost of viewing the Sultan’s treasury came to $35, a large sum at the time. After our visit to the treasure rooms, we were taken to a pavilion. There, we were treated very politely. We were served coffee, sweets, and cigarettes with great ceremony and respect.
An Unexpected Problem with the Language
While we were at the pavilion, something unexpected happened. Our courier (a man helping guide us) was asked a question. In answering, he accidentally used a few Turkish words. This caused a lot of sudden excitement among the officials Tours Sofia.
One of the officials quickly took him aside for a private questioning. They were worried because no one who speaks Turkish is normally allowed to see the treasures. The fear is that someone local might spread information about the hidden wealth.
The courier explained that he was not Turkish, did not live in Turkey, and had only learned a few words of the language during a recent war with Greece. At that time, he had worked as a translator (dragoman) for an English newspaper reporter. Thankfully, after this explanation, the officials accepted his story.
A Glimpse into a Secret World
This rare visit to the Sultan’s treasury showed us not only great riches but also how much secrecy and control surrounds them. From double locks and guarded keys to strict rules about language, every detail is designed to protect the treasures—and the mystery—of the Ottoman Empire.
