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"The palace of the "Gun Gate' was originally double and consisted of summer pavilions at the water's edge--now mainly destroyed by the railway--and the winter palace on the ridge overlooking the city. The courts were arranged in a series: the first contained the armory in the church of Hagia Irene, and various hospitals and barracks; the second was bounded by the reception hall and inner treasury on one side, and the kitchen on the other; the third was used by the palace school; and the fourth consisted of gardens and various pavilions. On the city side, beyond the barracks of the Halberdiers, was the harem. It was divided into distinct sectors: those for eunuchs, laundry and other services, the queen mother's suite, the sultan's rooms and those of his ladies, and the sacred chamber of the Robe of the Prophet and its pavilion."interior, decoratively carved and inlaid wood on a door in the Harem