The detailed knowledge of the royal mosque revenues is not open to everyone. It is mainly studied and understood by those who are appointed to manage these religious foundations. The records are carefully kept, and only trained officials are allowed to examine the full accounts. These documents are said to be very long and detailed, containing lists of rents, gifts, and many other sources of income.
However, according to reliable reports from people who do not exaggerate, the yearly revenue of the great mosque of Santa Sophia is believed to amount to about one hundred thousand zechins. This is a very large sum of money. What is especially remarkable is that this income does not come from lands outside the city walls. Instead, it is collected entirely from properties, shops, houses, and other sources located within the city itself Private Tour Guide Ephesus.
The Sultan as a Tenant
One of the most surprising facts about this arrangement is that even the Sultan himself is considered a tenant of this religious foundation. The imperial palace, or Seraglio, stands on land that was once part of the grounds belonging to the great church of Santa Sophia during the time of the Christian emperors. These lands were formerly connected to the sanctuary and gardens dedicated to that sacred building.
After the conquest of the city, the Ottoman rulers respected the religious history of the site. Although the location was highly suitable for a palace because of its beautiful and strategic position, the land was not simply taken without acknowledgment. Instead, the Sultan agreed to pay a daily rent for the ground on which the palace stands.
The Symbolic Rent Payment
The daily rent paid by the Sultan amounts to one thousand and one aspers. The addition of the single extra asper is symbolic. It serves as a sign that one thousand aspers alone would not be considered sufficient payment for land that was once set apart for sacred use. The extra coin shows respect and recognition of the religious value of the property.
This payment also leaves open the possibility that future rulers, moved by greater devotion or generosity, might increase the amount. In this way, the arrangement reflects both political authority and religious sensitivity.
Respect for Sacred Foundations
This example shows how seriously religious endowments were regarded. Even after political and religious changes, the income and property connected to important holy places were preserved and even strengthened. The idea that sacred land should not be entirely separated from its religious purpose influenced the way it was managed.
By maintaining such payments and respecting old foundations, the rulers demonstrated that religion remained closely connected with government and public life. The system allowed the mosque to continue receiving strong financial support, while also showing honor toward the sacred history of the place.