What is the Tulip Era?

The Tulip Era is a period in Ottoman history characterized by pleasure, entertainment, peace, renewal, and civil reforms. The name “Tulip Era” was given much later, deriving from the tulip flowers cultivated in Istanbul during that period, whose fame eventually spread worldwide notably to the Netherlands.

Spanning the long tenure of the Grand Vizier Nevşehirli Damat Ibrahim Pasha and ending with the Patrona Halil Rebellion in 1730, this period denotes a time of enhanced political, economic, and cultural relations with the West. Envoys sent to Paris, Vienna, and Moscow were instructed not only to sign diplomatic and commercial treaties but also to acquire knowledge about European diplomacy and military power. Yirmisekiz Çelebi Mehmed Efendi, dispatched to Paris to meet with Louis XV, was particularly influenced by France, especially in terms of education, and brought this influence back to Istanbul.

Sa’dabad

The region became renowned as “Sa’dabad” after the construction of the Sa’dabad Palace and the surrounding palaces, mansions, and pavilions. In 1717, a country banquet hosted by Grand Vizier Damad Ibrahim Pasha in this area led to Sultan Ahmed III’s acquaintance with and fondness for the surroundings. In 1722, the streambed in front of the palace to be built for the sultan in Kagithane (the official name of the quartier of Sa’dabad) was cleared, and both sides were enclosed within a regulated canal with orderly quays. The marble for this grand canal, known as “Cedvel-i Sim,” was brought from Kulelibahçe Pavilion in Çengelköy, and various channels were opened, embankments and cascades were constructed, creating small waterfalls. The water from these channels flowed through these waterfalls and cascades, gathering in marble pools. 450 plane, lime, oak, chestnut, and hornbeam trees were taken from the mountains of the Yoros region to be planted along the shore and then transported to the area by ships for planting along the edges of the gardens and the large pool in Sa’dabad. After the construction of three new pools and other arrangements, the designated garden was also named Hüsrevâbâd. Once the stream was regulated, places where boats transporting the people of Istanbul to the village passed through were closed, and their passage was no longer allowed. With the completion of the stream’s regulation, construction of the mansions commenced, and the state dignitaries were encouraged to establish mansions and gardens in the vicinity. It is known that the construction of the palaces and parks here was influenced by the French fashion that was prevalent throughout Europe.

Çelebizâde Âsım Efendi, notes that within the distance from Sa’dabad to Baruthane, around 170 mansions and pavilions were constructed. The period covering the last seven to eight years of Sultan Ahmed III’s reign were the most splendid years of Sa’dabad. The delights of Sa’dabad were not limited to the palace surroundings; it became a place where the public also frequented on holidays. Under the shade of Judas trees, “lover’s gatherings” were held, and festivities, musical performances, and entertainment lasting all day were organized. People would arrive in golden-laden carriages and flower-decorated boats from the Golden Horn waterway, making it a custom to enjoy entertainment in various parts of the mansion according to their status. These activities and amusements were referred to as “going out for a stroll in Sa’dabad.” Swimming competitions in the Golden Horn emerged as a tradition of this era. Additionally, besides daytime entertainments like javelin throwing, racing, wrestling, at Sa’dabad, nighttime entertainments such as conversations on various topics, poetry recitals, and musical performances were organized. Occasionally, foreign diplomats, particularly Iranians, were also hosted there.

This glittering and magnificent period came to an end with the Patrona Rebellion that erupted on September 25, 1730, while hundreds of buildings in Kağıthane were turned into ruins by the rebels.

Sa’dabad influenced Turkish literature for approximately two centuries from the first half of the 18th century, making its name known primarily in poetry at first, and later in prose genres after the Tanzimat period. Many poets, writers, and travelers of the time, including foreign authors, depicted scenes from the beauty spots and entertainments of Sa’dabad whenever they wished to describe the elegance, pleasure, and joy of Istanbul, mentioning its natural beauties, historical memories, and socio-cultural status. However, no poet has been able to describe Sa’dabad and its era of pleasure and entertainment-filled splendor as beautifully and impressively as Nedim’s enthusiastic verses. His songs, with refrains such as “Come, let’s go to Sa’dabad” or “Experience the joy of Sa’dabad at least once,” undoubtedly serve as literary works that provide evidence about Sa’dabad.