Bezmialem Sultan

As the silver-lined clouds covering the sky disperse, sunlight flashes down and then hides again in quick succession. At every variation of sunlight, the waters of the Bosphorus are bathed in different colours, now an ominous grey, then a joyful sapphire-blue. Bezmiâlem Valide looks out from the Pink Ballroom of Ciragan Palace, as the ripeness of the redbuds of Kandilli paints the hillside crimson. The sun now shines into the palace, awakening the glitter on the carved gilded frames of the priceless oil paintings.

This compassionate and sensitive first lady of the Palace is called "Bezmiâlem, which means “the person who brings joy to those in the entourage”. Beloved wife of Sultan Mahmud II, she devotes her spare time to the homeless, always extending a helping hand to those in need. In the year 1845 she founds The Guraba Hospital. As it is about to be opened, she leans over the mother-of-pearl desk-top and adds a few more items to the rules.

"The ward for infectious diseases will be separated from the others... service to the poor will be given free of charge... no deductions will be made from the patients’ allowance... even if they cost a fortune onions will be provided for the kitchen...

25,241 olive trees will be donated to the hospital ..." She turns her green eyes further into the distance. The blue waves splashing the shores of the palace gardens remind her of the rules of the charitable foundation she has started in Damascus: “ The sweet water of Damascus will be moved to Haremeyn with camels, to be served to the Pigrims."