Sword of Armageddon? Series “Legendary Blades” (32 photos). Treasures of the Topkapi Palace Mysteries of history

. The palace where the cloak and sword of the prophet Muhammad are kept

Answers to crossword No. 38 for 2017 in AiF

Hello, dear readers of the Sprint-Response website. Today we have September 19, 2017 on our calendars, which means tomorrow the printed version of the next issue of the newspaper “Arguments and Facts” will be released. While there is an electronic version of the newspaper, it is already possible to print all the correct answers to crossword puzzle No. 38 in the AiF newspaper for 2017. All correct answers to the crossword puzzle can be found at the end of the article; they are printed in a compact form immediately after the crossword puzzle questions.

Horizontally:

1. Fairytale blonde.5. Anniversary feast.9. Who replaced Leon Trotsky as People's Commissar of Defense?10. “Tambov wolf for you...!” (from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession”) 11. Who discovered ultraviolet rays?12. “There is elderberry in the garden, and in Kyiv...”13. What does Joe play in the movie Some Like It Hot?16. What branch of agriculture does the hero of our film comedy “The Pig Farmer and the Shepherd” work for?18. Product at a gas station.19. What musical instrument can replace an entire orchestra?20. “Pip you...!”.26. Which Russian revolutionary became Joseph Stalin's father-in-law?29. The palace where the cloak and sword of the Prophet Muhammad are kept.30. “Assorted herbs” from the pharmacy (4 letters). 31. Show in the sky.32. Where did Helena Blavatsky place all the “souls of the dead”?36. “The most severe supervision” of “freedom of speech.”39. Entertainer at the hotel.40. What did Mikhail Bulgakov dream of devoting his life to from his youth?44. “Everyone heals the soul of the beast.”47. External state.48. “Another person does not know your pain.”51. What did Delesov lose from the story “Albert” by Leo Tolstoy?52. Chemical ingredient.53. German tradesman.54. “You need to know the management in...”55. The “sense organ” of the device.56. War artist.57. The fourth of the jurors in the film “12” by Nikita Mikhalkov.

Vertically:

1. Where are debits and credits combined?2. “He breeds suckers.”3. A complete trifle.4. Fatigue limit.6. Which of our magicians “saws off his own hand” in the film “Thieves in Law”?7. The most prestigious brand of engagement rings.8. Who stole ambrosia from the Olympian gods?12. “Heavenly pleasure” for a businessman.14. What attitude towards dissenters does “the world owe” to the Athenian Cleisthenes?15. Hobby of singer Alexander Marshal.17. Seller's sin.21. Living symbol of Belarus.22. Verdict from heaven.23. “Notorious...”24. Matinee with Father Frost and Snow Maiden.25. It is about him that the Frenchman Gustave Flaubert jokingly writes in his book: firstly, he did not exist, and secondly, he was famous for his laughter!27. Red deer from North America.28. Which French marshal was married to Napoleon's sister?33. "Reaper's Razor".34. “The pulsation of music.”35. Country around Vientiane.36. Rhythm “from under the hooves”.37. “I grab…, drink milkshakes.”38. From which city do they rule the country?41. “Venetian lace” today.42. Sexual appetite pills.43. You can't!45. “How can a woman remain attractive and not die of hunger?!” (classic film comedy).46. How does a fox cover its tracks?47. The scent of “a dog’s life.”49. Which parrot from the cartoon speaks in the voice of Khazanov?50. “Road to the Heart” for blood.53. “We live to give…to each new day.”

Answers to crossword puzzle “AiF” No. 38 for 2017

Horizontally: 1. Snow White 5. Banquet 9. Frunze 10. Boyar 11. Ritter 12. Uncle 13. Saxophone 16. Sheep farming 18. Gasoline 19. Organ 20. Language 26. Alliluyev 29. Topkapi 30. Collection 31. Fireworks 32. Astral 36. Censorship 39. Animator 40. Acting 44. Verse 47. Politics 48. Body 51. Whist 52. Substance 53. Burgher 54. Face 55. Sensor 56. Battalist 57. Gaft.

Vertically: 1. Accounting 2. Swindler 3. Trifle 4. Exhaustion 6. Hakobyan 7. Cartier 8. Tantalum 12. Income 14. Ostracism 15. Airsports 17. Body kit 21. Bison 22. Kara 23. Rogue 24. Yolka 25. Homer 27. Wapiti 28. Murat 33. Sickle 34. Rhythm 35. Laos 36. Clatter 37. Dumbbells 38. Capital 41. Guipure 42. Viagra 43. Ban 45. Tootsie 46. Tail 47. Dog 49. Kesha 50. Vienna 53 . The battle.

sprintotvet.ru

Crossword AiF 38 2018 answers

Crossword AiF 38 2017 answers

Horizontal:1 Fairy-tale blonde (10 letters).5 Anniversary feast (6 letters).9 Who replaced Leon Trotsky as People's Commissar of Defense? (6 letters).10 “Tambov wolf for you...!” (from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession”) (6 letters).11 Who discovered ultraviolet rays? (6 letters).12 “There is elderberry in the garden, and in Kyiv...” (6 letters).13 What does Joe play from the film “Some Like It Hot”? (8 letters).16 What branch of agriculture does the hero of our film comedy “The Pig Farmer and the Shepherd” work for? (11 letters).18 Product at a gas station (6 letters).19 What musical instrument can replace an entire orchestra? (5 letters).20 “Pip you on...!” (4 letters).26 Which Russian revolutionary became Joseph Stalin's father-in-law? (8 letters).29 The palace where the cloak and sword of the Prophet Muhammad are kept (7 letters).30 “Assorted herbs” from the pharmacy (4 letters).31 Show in the sky (5 letters).32 Where Helena Blavatsky placed all the “souls of the dead” "? (6 letters).36 “The most severe supervision” of “freedom of speech” (7 letters).39 Hotel entertainer (8 letters).40 What did Mikhail Bulgakov dream of devoting his life to since his youth? (9 letters).44 “Everyone heals the soul of the beast” (4 letters).47 External state (8 letters).48 “Aliens do not know your pain” (4 letters).51 What did Delesov lose from the story “Albert” by Lev Tolstoy? (4 letters).52 Chemical ingredient (8 letters).53 German tradesman (6 letters).54 “You need to know the authorities in” (4 letters).55 “Sense organ” of the device (6 letters).56 Military artist (8 letters).57 The fourth of the jurors in the film “12” by Nikita Mikhalkov (4 letters). Vertical: 1 Where are debits and credits combined? (11 letters).2 “He’s breeding suckers” (7 letters).3 A sheer trifle (11 letters).4 The limit of fatigue (11 letters).6 Which of our magicians “saws off his own hand” in the film “Thieves in Law”? (6 letters).7 The most prestigious brand of engagement rings (6 letters).8 Who stole the ambrosia from the Olympian gods? (6 letters).12 “Heavenly pleasure” for a businessman (5 letters).14 What attitude towards dissidents does “the world owe” to the Athenian Cleisthenes? (9 letters).15 The passion of the singer Alexander Marshal (9 letters).17 The sin of the seller (5 letters).21 The living symbol of Belarus (4 letters).22 The verdict from heaven (4 letters).23 “Notorious ...” (4 letters) .24 Matinee with Father Frost and the Snow Maiden (4 letters).25 It is about him that the Frenchman Gustave Flaubert jokingly writes in his book: firstly, he did not exist, and secondly, he is famous for his laughter! (5 letters).27 Red deer from North America (6 letters).28 Which of the French marshals was married to Napoleon's sister? (5 letters).33 “The Reaper’s Razor” (4 letters).34 “Pulse of Music” (4 letters).35 The country around Vientiane (4 letters). 36 Rhythm “from under the hooves” (5 letters). 37 “I grab onto ..., drink milkshakes” (7 letters). 38 From which city do they rule the country? (7 letters).41 “Venetian lace” today (5 letters).42 “Sexual appetite” pills (6 letters).43 You can’t! (6 letters).45 “How can a woman remain attractive and not die of hunger?!” (classic film comedy) (5 letters).46 How does a fox cover his tracks? (5 letters).47 The aroma of “a dog’s life” (5 letters).49 Which parrot from the cartoon speaks in the voice of Khazanov? (4 letters).50 “The road to the heart” for blood (4 letters).53 “We live to give ... to each new day” (3 letters).

www.spravkasleavka.ru

Mysteries of history. Category "Incredible Artifacts". Prophet Muhammad's Cloak

There are many relics associated with the name of the founder of Islam that are revered in the Muslim world. These are hairs from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad, his mark left on the stone, autographs, as well as personal belongings. Including a cloak.

The collection of hadith compiled by al-Bukhari contains testimonies from various people who knew the Islamic prophet Muhammad personally. One of them belongs to a certain Amir ibn al-Harith. He said: “When the Messenger of Allah died, he did not leave behind him a dinar, a dirham, a male or female slave. He left nothing except the white mule he rode, his weapons, and a piece of land which he donated for the benefit of the travelers.” However, there is another item that is believed to have belonged to the prophet and has survived to this day. This is his cloak, around which there are many legends.

Gift for a hermit

We know very little about this artifact. Only that the prophet was wearing a cloak when he received a revelation from above. This happened at the end of 613. Muhammad lay in the gazebo, wrapped in a cloak. And then a voice sounded: “O wrapped one! Arise and exhort! And magnify your Lord!..” It was after that incident that the prophet began to openly preach a new faith.

There is another mention of a cloak in the life story of Muhammad. It was torn on the prophet during clashes with opponents of the faith. However, it is unknown whether it was the same or some other cloak. People who knew Muhammad said that the prophet loved light shirts and raincoats. That he wore them for a long time, and always repaired the ones that were leaky and never threw them away. However, no one left a description of his belongings, and one can only guess which of the cloaks later became a relic.

Thanks to a Persian legend from the 12th century, we know the fate of one of the prophet's cloaks. Muhammad, dying, bequeathed to his followers Umar and Ali to give a bundle to the hermit Uwais al-Karani. It contained his cap and an old patched cloak. Although Muhammad was not familiar with Uwais al-Qarani and had never met him, he had heard about this pious man. This ordinary shepherd was an extraordinary person. In many Muslim countries he is still revered as a saint. True, under different names. The Kazakhs call him Oysyl-kara, the Turkmens - Veyis-baba, and the Uzbeks of Khorezm - Sultan-bobo.

It is difficult to separate truth from fiction in the stories about Uwais. For example, they said that he wandered around barefoot and almost naked, loudly reading prayers and shouting: “Hu! Hu!” (This is one of the names of Allah.) He asked God to release all sinners in order to guide them on the true path. At the same time, the shepherd beat himself on the head with a stone, promising to stop only when God heard him. They also said that one day Uwais learned about how Muhammad’s tooth was knocked out with a stone in a battle with his enemies.

The hermit immediately decided to deprive himself of a tooth. True, he did not know which tooth the prophet lost, so he knocked out all thirty-two of himself.

Umar and Ali found Uwais and gave him the prophet's cloak. They also conveyed his request - to put on a cloak and pray for the community of Muhammad. Uwais said that he needed to talk to God first. He left Umar and Ali to wait, and he walked away to the side, placed the prophet's cloak next to him and fell to the ground. He cried out to God: “I will not put on this robe until you give me the entire community of Muhammad, which he entrusted to me here on earth!” And then he heard a voice: “Put on rags, and I will give you several people!” Uwais continued: “No, I beg you, give me everyone!” And the voice answered: “I’ll give you a few more thousand, put on rags!” But the hermit again prayed: “Give me everyone!”

He did not know the answer, because at that moment Umar and Ali approached him. They got tired of waiting for Uwais, and they went to look for him. The hermit was upset that he was interrupted. He said that he did not want to put on the clothes of the prophet until Allah gave him the entire community.

These words of Uwais al-Qarani were later transformed into the legend that anyone who puts on the cloak of the prophet becomes the spiritual leader of all Muslims.

Was it burned or stolen?

It is not known whether the hermit wore Muhammad's patched cloak or simply kept it. And after his death, traces of the cloak were completely lost for a long time. The next time he is mentioned is in connection with the assassination of the Baghdad caliph Al-Muqtadir in 932. Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, one of the Islamic theologians who lived in the 15th century, wrote: “This cloak was kept by the caliphs. He passed from one caliph to another, and they threw him over their shoulders. This cloak was worn by Muktadir when he was killed, and was spattered with blood. I think that he disappeared during the Tatar invasion...” There is other evidence that one of Muhammad’s cloaks in 1258 (636 according to Muslim chronology) was burned by those same “Tatars” (more precisely, of course, Mongols) during the attack on Baghdad.

However, there is another legend about Muhammad's cloak. According to him, the relic was brought to Samarkand by Tamerlane himself, and then from there transported to Bukhara. Later, one of Tamerlane’s descendants took the relic to the Afghan city of Juzun. There, a building was specially built outside the city wall to store the cloak. Because of this, Juzun received a second name - Feyzabad, which means “arranged by mercy.” It is by this name that it is known today.

Here Muhammad's cloak was kept until 1768, when the founder of the Durrani Empire (whose heir is modern Afghanistan), Ahmad Shah Abdali, came to the city. He saw the prophet's cloak and decided to bring it to Kabul at all costs. Ahmad Shah asked the guardians to “lend” him the sacred cloak. But they politely refused, suspecting that they would not receive the relic back. Then Abdali pointed to a stone lying on the ground and said: “I promise that I will not take the cloak far from this stone.” This calmed the guardians, and they allowed them to take the prophet’s cloak. It cannot be said that Ahmad Shah did not keep his word at all - since he ordered the stone to be lifted from the ground and took it along with the relic to Kabul. He did not return the cloak, as the keepers had feared.

Ahmad Shah planned to transport the cloak to his capital, Kandahar. He even ordered a special building to be built there for the relic, and a pedestal for that very stone to be installed nearby. The sanctuary was named Khirka Sharif. Ahmad Shah also planned to build his own tomb nearby, but did not have time to do this. He died and was buried in a building intended to house the prophet's cloak.

Political miracle

Mere mortals could not see the cloak. But the rulers not only saw it, but also wore it on special occasions. For example, Emir Dost Mohammed Khan did this in 1834 when he declared jihad against the Sikh kingdom in Peshawar. And in the 20th century, the relic suddenly fell into the hands of the rural mullah Omar, better known as Muhammad Umar, one of the spiritual leaders and founders of the Taliban movement.

“Mullah Omar was not particularly well known, apart from a brief military glory during the war with the Soviets,” says Omar Sharifi, an Afghan historian who studies the history of the Taliban. - He was the “darkest” character on the political map of Kandahar. The application of the old myth helped him gain legitimate power." In April 1996, 36-year-old Mullah Omar took Muhammad's cloak from the shrine and climbed with it onto the roof of a building in central Kandahar. He waited until a large crowd had gathered below, and then he picked up his cloak, which was fluttering in the wind, and wrapped himself in it. Now is the time to remember Uwais al-Qarani and the legend associated with him. Everyone in Afghanistan knew her, and for the people of the country, Mullah Omar’s actions meant that he became “amir ul-mu’minin,” that is, the head of all the faithful.

Afghan analyst and former senior Taliban foreign ministry official Wahid Muzhda argues that things were different: “Omar did not wear a cloak. He held his cloak with great reverence before the clergy who had assembled to swear allegiance to him.”

Be that as it may, Omar became the head of Afghanistan, although before that he did not have serious support among politicians and tribal leaders. We can say that the relic created a miracle, albeit a political one. However, Omar failed to remain in power for long. And Muhammad’s cloak was returned to its original storage place - to the mausoleum of Ahmad Shah, where it remains to this day. Marina VIKTOROVA

zagadki-istorii.ru

The palace where the rare relics of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are kept

islam-today.ru

Answers to AiF crossword No. 38 from 09/20/2017

Today the next issue of “AiF” No. 38 dated September 20, 2017 was released and we have prepared questions and answers for this issue of the crossword puzzle. It has been completely solved, all you have to do is check your knowledge with the answers posted on this page.

Questions and answers to crossword puzzle “AiF” No. 38

Horizontally: 1. Fairytale blonde. 10 letter answer: SNOW WHITE.5. Anniversary feast. 6 letter answer: BANQUET9. Who replaced Leon Trotsky as People's Commissar of Defense? 6 letter answer: FRUNZE10. “Tambov wolf for you...!” (from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession”). 6 letter answer: BOYARIN11. Who discovered ultraviolet rays? 6 letter answer: RITTER12. “There is elderberry in the garden, and in Kyiv...” 6 letter answer: UNCLE13. What does Joe play in the movie Some Like It Hot? 8 letter answer: SAXOPHONE16. What branch of agriculture does the hero of our film comedy “The Pig Farm and the Shepherd” work for? 11 letter answer: SHEEP FEDING18. Product at a gas station. 6 letter answer: GASOLINE19. What musical instrument can replace an entire orchestra? 5 letter answer: ORGAN20. “Pip you on...!” 4 letter answer: LANGUAGE26. Which Russian revolutionary became Joseph Stalin's father-in-law? 8 letter answer: ALLILUEV29. The palace where the cloak and sword of the Prophet Muhammad are kept. 7 letter answer: TOKKAPI30. “Assorted herbs” from the pharmacy. 4 letter answer: COLLECTION31. Show in the sky. 5 letter answer: SALYUT32. Where did Helena Blavatsky place all the “souls of the dead”? 6 letter answer: ASTRAL36. “The most severe supervision” of “freedom of speech.” 7 letter answer: CENSORSHIP39. Entertainer at the hotel. 8 letter answer: ANIMATOR40. What did Mikhail Bulgakov dream of devoting his life to from his youth? 9 letter answer: ACTING44. “Every…my soul heals the beast.” 4 letter answer: VERSE47. External...states. 8 letter answer: POLITICS48. “Alien... does not know your pain.” 4 letter answer: BODY51. What did Delesov lose from the story “Albert” by Leo Tolstoy? 4 letter answer: VIST52. Chemical ingredient. 8 letter answer: SUBSTANCE53. German tradesman. 6 letter answer: BURGER54. “You need to know the management in…” 4 letter answer: FACE55. The “sense organ” of the device. 6 letter answer: SENSOR56. Military artist. 8 letter answer: BATTALIST57. The fourth juror in the film “12” by Nikita Mikhalkov. 4 letter answer: GAFTP Vertical: 1. Where are debits and credits reconciled? 11 letter answer: ACCOUNTING2. "He breeds suckers." 7 letter answer: SCAM3. A complete trifle. 11 letter answer: TRIVILESS4. Fatigue limit. 11 letter answer: EXHAUSTION6. Which of our magicians “saws off his own hand” in the film “Thieves in Law”? 6 letter answer: HAKOBYAN7. The most prestigious brand of engagement rings. 6 letter answer: CARTIER8. Who stole ambrosia from the Olympian gods? 6 letter answer: TANTALUM12. “Heavenly pleasure” for a businessman. 5 letter answer: INCOME14. What attitude towards dissenters does “the world owe” to the Athenian Cleisthenes? 9 letter answer: OSTRACISM15. Hobby of singer Alexander Marshall. 9 letter answer: AIRPORT17. The seller's sin. 5 letter answer: OBVES21. A living symbol of Belarus. 4 letter answer: ZUBR22. A verdict from heaven. 4 letter answer: KARA23. "Notorious..." 4 letter answer: PLUT24. Matinee with Father Frost and Snow Maiden. 4 letter answer: YOLKA25. It is about him that the Frenchman Gustave Flaubert jokingly writes in his book: firstly, he did not exist, and secondly, he was famous for his laughter! 5 letter answer: HOMER27. Red deer from North America. 6 letter answer: VAPITI28. Which French marshal was married to Napoleon's sister? 5 letter answer: MURAT33. "Reaper's Razor" 4 letter answer: SERP34. "The Pulsation of Music" 4 letter answer: RHYTHM35. Country around Vientiane. 4 letter answer: LAOS36. Rhythm “from under the hooves”. 5 letter answer: TSOKOT37. “I grab…, drink milkshakes.” 7 letter answer: DUMBLESS38. From which city do they rule the country? 7 letter answer: CAPITAL41. "Venetian lace" today. 5 letter answer: GIPUR42. Sexual appetite pills. 6 letter answer: VIAGRA43. It is forbidden! 6 letter answer: PROHIBITION45. “How can a woman remain attractive and not die of hunger?!” (classic film comedy). 5 letter answer: TOOTSIE46. How does a fox cover his tracks? 5 letter answer: TAIL47. The scent of “a dog’s life.” 5 letter answer: PSINA49. Which parrot from the cartoon speaks in the voice of Khazanov? 4 letter answer: KESHA50. "Road to the Heart" for blood. 4 letter answer: VIENNA53. “We live to give…to each new day.” 3 letter answer: FIGHT

otvetsite.ru

The palace where the rare relics of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) are kept

"Topkapi Saray" - "Topkapi Palace". In Russian pronunciation it is also “Topkapi”, and in translation the palace is “Cannon Gate”.

The name of the palace complex came from the fact that when the Sultan entered and left the palace, an honorary cannon salvo was heard. The historical memory also played a role in the origin of the name: under the Byzantines, there was also a gate at approximately this place.

Since 1924, the palace has been a museum, and before that it served for several centuries as the main residence of the Sultan, but in the last years of the empire it occupied a secondary place, because The sultans now have a residence in the European style - “Dolmabahce”.

Among the attractions of Topkapi, that part of the treasury deserves special attention, where, in particular, the personal holy relics of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Almighty be upon him) are kept - a golden sword, a bow, an amber seal, a tuft of hair from a beard, a footprint, a silver throne of the prophet ( peace and blessings of the Almighty upon him).

The sultans always visited the room with the holy relics of Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Almighty) - the so-called. “Collection of Relics” every year during the month of Ramadan. The holy relics were brought by Sultan Selim I in 1517 from Egypt, during the conquest of this country. In the room of relics, artifacts that are not related to the prophet (peace and blessings of the Almighty) are also displayed.

These are the swords of the first four caliphs - Abu Bakr (ra), Omar (ra), Osman (ra) and Ali (ra), the key to the gates of the Kaaba in Mecca, etc.

If you find an error, select the text and press Ctrl + Enter.

islam-today.ru

The Khirku (robe, cloak) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was shown in Istanbul

The Khirqa of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is currently on display in Istanbul (Turkey). Officials said the exhibit will be on display during the holy month of Ramadan.

The robe of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was unveiled at an Istanbul mosque on Friday during a ceremony attended by dozens of Turkish officials, scholars, diplomats and dignitaries, including Istanbul Governor Hussein Avni Mutlu and Istanbul Mufti Mustafa Chagrici.

Khirka was exhibited annually during the month of Ramadan, but was not shown last year due to restoration work.

“Show respect not for the material side of the khirki, but for the Almighty and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him),” said the mufti. “The chapan is the same as all of us. Of course, this one has historical significance and value.”

What makes it valuable is that it is a gift from our Prophet (peace be upon him). Thus, we should show our respect not to the object itself, but to Allah and our holy Prophet (peace be upon him). We should only accept this as a gift from our Prophet (peace be upon him),” he added in a speech to Kuwait newspaper Alwatan.

Barış Samir from the Turkish Köprülü family is the real heir to the relic. She said that the sacred historical object was brought to Istanbul by the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamit I in 1611.

“This year our people visit the Khirki exhibit for the 400th time. By the will of God, I hope that people will have the opportunity to visit this relic for many hundreds of years,” said the heiress.

Sameer, who is a descendant of Uwais al-Qarani to whom Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gifted his khirqa, said that the relic was under restoration for over a year and hence it was not displayed during Ramadan in the past year.

According to the Turkish newspaper Zaman, a large number of people visited the exhibit and many of them offered prayers at the holy shrine of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

If you find an error, select the text and press Ctrl + Enter.

islam-today.ru

First courtyard of Topkapi Palace - Alai Meydanı (The Square of the Army) or the “Court of the Janissaries”, as the Europeans called it, in the time of the Sultans, as now, was accessible to everyone, and very important dignitaries could even ride into it on horseback. Previously, at the very end of Alai Meydana, at the gate to the second courtyard, there were “stones of edification”, on which the heads of the executed were placed, and to the right and closer to the center stood Jelliat Cheshmesi(The Executioner's Fountain), where the executioner and his henchmen washed their blood-stained hands. The gate of Bab-y Humayun leads here from Hagia Sophia(The Sultan's Entrance), here are also the buildings of the Church of St. Irene and the Mint. On each side of the massive gate of Bab-y Humayun there are niches, and above the inner arch there is a mark of the builder and a gilded saying: “Allah will make the glory of the builder eternal; Allah will make his creation lasting; Allah will strengthen its foundations." At any time of the day or night, the gates were guarded by special guards and a unit of Janissaries. Before reaching the second gate of the palace, called Bab-yus Selyam(Gate of Greetings) or Orta Kapi (Middle Gate) and leading to Divan Meydana, the Topkapi Museum ticket office and the museum souvenir shop are located. A ticket to Topkapi costs 25 Turkish lira or 430 Russian rubles. In order to visit the Sultan's Harem, the entrance to which is located on the left side of the second courtyard, you will need to buy a separate ticket for 15 lire at the ticket office located next to it.

The Orta Kapa Gate is the most recognizable symbol of the palace. Two powerful octagonal towers with loopholes under conical roofs are built on either side of a massive gatehouse, along the top of which there is a battlement. During the time of the Sultans, the gates were carefully guarded by a special detachment of gatekeepers. Their duties, among other things, included maintaining absolute silence in Divan Meydana. Even those few high-ranking dignitaries and ambassadors who entered Alai Meydan on horseback had to dismount and walk before these gates. Only the Sultan could ride through Orta Kapi on horseback. Above the double iron door of the gate, decorated with a relief ornament, in an oval medallion is placed the Sultan's monogram - the tughra of Mehmed Fatih - the Conqueror of Constantinople, and above it the Shahada is written in golden Arabic script - evidence of the Muslim faith: "La illaha illa Allahu wa Muhammadan rasul ul-Llahi" ( There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet). Inside the gate, on both sides, there are passages leading to small rooms. The premises to the right of the entrance were intended for visitors and foreign ambassadors awaiting an audience. Sometimes they were forced to sit for several days so that they could fully realize their insignificance before the greatness and power of the Sultan. On the left were the gatekeepers' quarters and the room of the chief executioner, who was also the chief gardener. Under the gate there was an underground prison, the last refuge in this world for the Sultan’s subjects who had caused his wrath.

After presenting their tickets, tourists enter the second courtyard, where they are greeted by models of Cape Sarayburnu and Topkapi Palace. Here at the kiosk on the right you can rent for 15 liras Russian-speaking “electronic audio guide” to the palace, Harem and treasury.

Second courtyard of Topkapi Palace - Divan Meydanı (Council Square) - served as the main place for important ceremonies of national importance. The outbreak of war, the circumcision of the Sultan's sons, the marriage of his daughters or the reception of foreign ambassadors. From Bab-yus Selam, paved paths diverge in different directions. The most important of them is Padishah Yolu(Padishah's Road), running through the entire courtyard to the gate to the third courtyard of the Topkapi Palace, the second in importance is Vezir Yolu(Vizier's Road), which goes northwest to the Divan building. The Divan served as the highest governing body of the Ottoman Empire, and its name comes from the low couches - sofas that border the meeting room on three sides. Divan Meydan means Divan Square, so the main building in this courtyard is Divan-y Humayun(Divan building). It was built during the era of Suleiman I on the left side of the courtyard. Here, four times a week, the State Council, headed by the Grand Vizier, met to resolve current civil and religious issues. The building consists of a rectangular room divided by arched partitions into three halls. One room was intended for meetings of the Divan, another for working with documents, and the third was the office of the Grand Vizier. Of particular interest in the meeting room of the Divan is the window with gilded bars above the place of the grand vizier, called Kafes-i Mushebbek(Eye of the Sultan). Usually the first sultans personally attended the meetings of the Divan, but Suleiman I put an end to this practice and ordered a small window to be made, to which the sultan could approach at any time during the meeting, while remaining invisible to the council members. Therefore, they could never be sure whether the Sultan saw and heard them or not. Thus, meetings always took place as if in the invisible presence of the Sultan and under his watchful eye. Directly adjacent to the Divan building is Dysh Khazine(External Treasury). This building with small windows in thick walls, crowned with eight domes, is one of the oldest buildings in the palace. Here, in the basements, money was kept intended for the needs of the Divan, including for payments to the Janissaries.

A tetrahedral two-stage tower with a high pyramidal roof rises above the Divan building. Built during the time of Mehmed II, it was originally intended to monitor the waters of the Golden Horn. Its name is Adalet Kulesi(Tower of Justice) this structure received because the second courtyard itself was often called Adalet Meidany(Justice Square). The main entrance to the Harem is through Arab Kapysy(Carriage Gate) - located next to the Divan building. Near Arab Kapysa there is a ticket office selling tickets for visiting the Harem. The gate received the name Araba due to the fact that here the inhabitants of the Harem sat in closed carriages, leaving the palace for walks.

In the left corner of Divan Meydana in front of the gallery going to Arab Kapysy, there are Meyit Kapysy(Gate of the Dead), through which the bodies of the dead were carried out in the palace.

The right side of the Divan Meydana is occupied by the Mutfaklara Saray(Kitchen Palace). In its courtyard there were not only ten large kitchens, but also two mosques, a hammam bath, storerooms and living quarters for staff (cooks, pastry chefs, food servers and cooks).

The third courtyard of Topkapi Palace is Enderun Avlusu. This is where enderun begins- the territory of the personal apartments of the sultans ruling the empire, entry to which was very strictly limited. An elegant gate topped with a dome, which has three names, leads to the third courtyard from Divan Meydana. Firstly, Bab-yus Saadet(Gate of Bliss), secondly, the Gate of Audience and, thirdly, the Gate of the White Eunuchs. Here the accession of a new sultan to the throne was announced, the great viziers were thrown out of them to be torn to pieces by the enraged Janissaries, and, finally, it was here that the bodies of the sultans killed as a result of palace coups were carried out. The Gate of Bliss was considered the personal gate of the Sultan, so its threshold was kissed by everyone who entered. The only foreigners who managed to pass here were only a few ambassadors who received an audience with the Sultan. The gate was guarded by white eunuchs led by the kapi-aga(mainly the Sultan's butler). Their living quarters were located on both sides of the Gate of Bliss so that the guards could control both courtyards.

If black eunuchs ensured the vital functions of the Harem, then white eunuchs performed almost the same functions in the selamlik. Since ordinary servants were forbidden to enter the Gate of Beatitude, white eunuchs had to teach in the palace page school and serve His Majesty along with the pages. And kapi-aga, in addition to heading the internal service and being the Sultan’s personal confidant, also headed the palace school, and also served as the head of the gatekeepers and the chief master of ceremonies. The area of the third courtyard is approximately two times smaller than Divan Meydany.

Adjacent to the Gate of Bliss, the Audience Hall is a one-story rectangular building, built in the 15th century, but rebuilt several times. The slopes of its roof, strongly protruding on the sides, are supported by a marble colonnade running along the perimeter of the entire building, and almost connect with the roof of the gate to the third courtyard.

On the left side of Enderun Avlusu is the Sultan's Chamber, decorated with tiles. After the conquest of Syria and Egypt (1516-1517), Sultan Selim I the Terrible received the title of Caliph from the Sheriff of Mecca, and with it many sacred relics of Islam, among which were the Banner of the Prophet and the Sacred Mantle, or cloak of the Prophet. All these priceless relics for Muslims are kept in the Sultan's Chamber, now called the Pavilion of the Holy Robe and Holy Relics. In the room where the Prophet’s cloak is kept in a golden casket, several mullahs alternately chant verses of the Koran around the clock. This pavilion became the most memorable place in Topkapi for me. Islamic shrines are on display here, including hair from the beard of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the imprint of his foot, his bow, sword and letters, as well as the keys to the Kaaba and the gold frame of the Black Stone, the main Muslim shrine. The pavilion where these relics are now located was built in the courtyard of the palace during the time of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror. In this room to the middle XVI centuries, the chambers of the sultans were located. Future rulers came to these chambers to pray and pay tribute to this significant place for them before the ceremony of accession to the throne of the Ottoman state.

In the third courtyard of the Sultan's Topkapi Palace there was also a palace center for training management personnel, which existed in the Ottoman Empire from the mid-15th to the beginning of the 19th century. In the Ottoman Empire, there was a devshirme system, which involved the forced recruitment of boys from Christian families for their subsequent education and service as “kapi kullars” (“servants of the Gate” or “servants of the Porte”, that is, the personal slaves of the Sultan). Children of different ages, recruited from Christian families according to the devshirme system, were distributed to Turkish families, where they learned the language and the basics of Islam. Then, in the Edirne barracks, “ajemi oglans” (“foreign boys”) underwent training and military training. After some time, recruits, called Chikma, were sent to military units, and the most capable of them continued their training in Enderun. Sometimes the Sultan personally selected them.

A very interesting exhibition is presented in the Sultan's treasuries of Enderun Hazinesi - this is one of the largest collections of treasures in the world. A sword, according to legend, that belonged to the founder of the Ottoman state, Sultan Osman I Gazi, jewelry, household items, weapons, helmets and other ammunition from the times of Suleiman I the Magnificent and his successors, as well as state awards of the Ottoman Empire, gifts made to the sultans and treasures of countries conquered by the Ottomans are exhibited here. The Sultans of the Ottoman Empire accumulated a huge number of unique valuables and highly artistic artifacts, many of which are presented in the exhibition located in four halls of the former personal treasury of the Ottoman Sultans. Among the most interesting exhibits is the famous gemstone - the Spoonman's Diamond (Kashikchi Elmasy). Also very interesting is the gallery of the Sultan's caftans, among which the small caftans of the Sultan's heirs - shehzade - are noteworthy.

Fourth courtyard of Topkapi Palace - Sofa-i Humayun (Sultan's Sofa), as well as the third, enderun territory- personal apartments of the ruling sultans.

In this part of the palace, located on the top of a hill, there is a wonderful park from which there is a beautiful view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes' Islands located at a distance. It is always cool here and a fresh wind fills the air with the smell of the sea. The Ottoman rulers could truly enjoy the solitude and peace here.

On the left, from the Golden Horn Bay, in the fourth courtyard, a small Yerevan pavilion (Revan Keshkyu) was built.. One of its walls connects to a large columned hall in the shape of the letter “L”, which encircles the Pavilion of the Sacred Mantle on both sides. The pavilion received its name in honor of the capture of Yerevan in 1635 by Sultan Murad IV and the expulsion of the Persians from there. The roof of the pavilion hangs over a cornice that provides shade, and the upper part of the external walls is covered with tiles.

Behind the Yerevan Pavilion there is also the Circumcision Hall, richly decorated with tiles.(Sunnet Odasy) and the wide marble terrace of Sofa-i Humayun begins(Sultan's Sofa) with a large decorative pool, the center of which is decorated with a fountain. This terrace of the first half of the 17th century, after which the entire fourth courtyard is called, is connected to the Baghdad Pavilion(Baghdat Köshkü). The premises of the Hall of Circumcision (1461) were intended for performing the Sunnet ritual(circumcision) over princes, potential heirs to the throne of the Ottoman Empire. The Baghdad pavilion, like the Yerevan one, was built in 1638 to commemorate the next victory of Murad IV - the conquest of the great Baghdad, the oldest city of the caliphate. This building is cruciform in shape, however, the surrounding vaulted gallery with wide roof overhangs forms another cross protruding outward, giving the structure the appearance of an octagon. The Baghdad pavilion is completely decorated with tiles from the base to the roof. The Yerevan and Baghdad pavilions are magnificent examples of Turkish architectural style with the inclusion of Persian motifs. The elegance of the buildings is emphasized by thin columns with capitals resembling a lotus in shape.

In the middle of Sofa-i Humayun, on four thin columns, stands a dome made of gilded bronze, called the Iftariye Pavilion.(Iftariye Köshkü). The pavilion offers beautiful views of Gülhane Park, the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus Strait and the Galata city district. Iftariye Pavilionintended for iftar- evening breaking of fast during the holy month of Ramadan, and was built in 1640. It was the favorite place of Sultan Ibrahim I, who preferred to have a snack here after sunset. Almost in the middle of the courtyard are the buildings of the wooden Sofa Pavilion(Sofa Köškü) and the stone tower of Hekimbashi Kulesi. This is the oldest building in the fourth courtyard. Hekimbashi Kulesi served as the base of a clock tower during the time of Mehmed II, and later was used as the home and laboratory of the chief physician of the Sultan. Pavilion of Sultan Abdulmecid(Mecidiye Köşkü) on the right side of the courtyard, facing the Sea of Marmara, is sharply different from the rest of the palace buildings, as it was built in the French style and resembles the architecture of Versailles. This is the last building built in 1840. After him, under the Ottoman sultans, nothing else was built on the territory of the palace. Now there is a restaurant here" Konyali", popular not so much for its dishes of Turkish and European cuisine, but primarily attracting tourists with its location and beautiful views. Nearby is the Sofa Mosque(Jamia Sofa) built in a strict imperial style during the era of Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839).

When in 1855 a new Sultan's palace, Dolmabahce, was built on the banks of the Bosphorus in Besiktas, the padishah's court moved there, and only the widows of the sultans or the wives of the deposed rulers remained to live in Topkapi. Declared a museum in 1924, Topkapi Palace is now Turkey's most popular museum, attracting over one and a half million people every year.

At the end of our tour of Topkapi, we went into the harem - the place where all the most intricate intrigues in the Ottoman Empire arose and were woven for centuries. Stunning interiors, glitz and chic are everywhere here. The word harem was borrowed by the Turks from Arabic, in which the word “haram” means “protected,” “inviolable,” and “forbidden.” This word was used to refer to that part of a Muslim home where women lived. The Turks softened the sound of the word to “harem” and added the suffix “lik” with the meaning of place, and the word “haremlik”(place where there is a refuge) came to mean that part of the Turkish house where the wives, children and servants of a devout Muslim live. The short form harem is more correctly used in relation to the population of the kharemlik, although it is universally accepted to designate this room. The word "selyamlik"(greeting) indicate the husband’s chambers, or more precisely, a place in a Turkish house used for receiving guests. In the gallery located in the lower part of the palace there is a magnificent exhibition "Harem-i Humayun", illustrating the life of the harem over the centuries.

He was constantly wary of conspiracies and created a wide network of informants. Since 1878, a reactionary, repressive regime was established in Turkey, which the Turks called “zulum” - oppression. In European countries, Abdul Hamid II was nicknamed the “bloody Sultan.” In 1909, he was deposed as a result of a military coup, and his brother was proclaimed the new Sultan. Abdul Hamid was exiled to Thessaloniki, only at the beginning of the Balkan Wars was he returned to Istanbul. He ended his days in the summer palace of the Beylerbey sultans.

Miniature with a portrait of Sultan Ahmed I. Türkiye, first half of the 18th century

The miniature was made in the Ottoman Empire in the period 1703–1730 by the famous artist of that era, Levni. His real name was Abduljelil Celebi. Originally from Edirne, he entered the service of the court workshop, which was responsible for wall paintings. At the beginning of his career, Chelebi was engaged in ornamental paintings and gilding, then he showed his talent as a miniaturist. He was entrusted with the creation of the “Large Illustrated Genealogy” of the Ottoman family. For the first time in the history of Turkish art, images of sultans were painted that were not related to the text of the manuscript, but were separate portrait miniatures.

Sultan Ahmed I, the builder of the famous mosque, is shown sitting cross-legged on a red carpet with a yellow cushion. He is depicted as a young man with a black beard and mustache. On the Sultan's head is a snow-white turban with an aigrette hanging down - a symbol of supreme power. He is dressed in a ceremonial caftan with long folding sleeves and patch fasteners, lined with fur. The caftan is made of green fabric with a large pattern in the form of stylized flowers. From under its folding sleeves, the sleeves of an undercoat made of gray-lilac fabric with a floral pattern are visible. The lining of the caftan, which is visible below, is apparently made of the same material. In the miniatures created by Levni, symbols of power in the hands of many padishahs, including Ahmed, are absent.

Miniature “Reception with Sultan Selim II”. Türkiye, second half of the 16th century

The miniature from the book "Shah-name-i-Selim Khan" is evidence of the strong Ottoman tradition of creating illustrated histories of each reign, which began already in the 16th century. Handwritten books were not subject to the Islamic ban on depicting living creatures.

Sultan Selim is depicted sitting on a golden throne under a canopy. He is dressed in a light robe, belted with a red belt, and a dark blue caftan, with a high turban on his head. On his right hand stand the Grand Vizier and other high officials of the state, behind him is the chief squire and custodian of the Sultan's robe. On the heads of the latter are tall red and gold headdresses. The squire occupied third place in the court hierarchy after the vizier and keeper of the Sultan's chambers. In the Sultan's treasury, they were responsible for the safety of the ruler's personal weapons. During ceremonial processions, the duty of the squire was to ride at the right hand of the Sultan and hold his saber. The chief squire is dressed in a blue caftan with a gold belt. The keeper of the Sultan's robe was the Sultan's personal valet and rode immediately behind him. His duties included monitoring the safety of the sovereign’s entire magnificent wardrobe. The keeper of the robe is dressed in a red caftan with a gold belt, he holds one of the symbols of power - a golden matara (a richly decorated flask of water). Standing around them is a large group of lesser-ranking courtiers. Those invited to the audience are listed below. One of them bows low to the padishah, the other knelt before the throne.

Chamber of Sacred Relics in the Third Courtyard

On the left side of the third courtyard, behind the Mosque of the White Eunuchs, is the Sultan’s Chamber, built under Mehmed Fatih as his permanent residence. At the beginning of the 16th century, under Selim Yavuz (Grozny), its appearance changed - a new room was added, which is called the Pavilion of Sacred Relics. After Selim conquered Mamluk Egypt in 1517, Turkish sultans also began to bear the title of caliph - the religious head of devout Sunni Muslims. From Cairo to Istanbul, by order of Selim, the main shrines of Islam, which were located at the last Abbasid caliphs - distant relatives of the prophet himself, were transferred.

The Chamber contains keys and locks to the Kaaba, the custodians of which were the Turkish sultans for a number of centuries, gutters from its roof, parts of the bedspreads that change on the shrine every year, and fragments of reliquaries from the famous Black Stone. In addition, there are models of the Kaaba made from different materials, as well as models of the mosque in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad was buried, and the Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem. The sacred relics also include the few surviving personal belongings of the prophet - his cloak and sword. One of the unusual shrines for the Muslim world reminds of the earthly journey of Muhammad. This is a casket with his tooth, knocked out in the first battle of Islam at the Exit on March 19, 652, when the Muslim army was defeated during the war between Mecca and Medina. Also kept here are the belongings of his closest relatives, for example, the shirt and robe of his beloved daughter Fatima, the mother of his only grandchildren. The swords of his closest associates, Umar and Usman, have also been preserved.

Sacred relics also include things associated with biblical and evangelical characters mentioned in the Koran. For example, a dish of the patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim), who is considered the ancestor of all Arabs, a small wooden rod - according to legend, the prophet Moses (Musa) used it to extract water from a rock. In addition, here is the sword of the pious Israeli king David (Daud) and clothing attributed to the patriarch Joseph (Yusuf). Among the greatest relics, revered by Christians, is the ark with the right hand of John the Baptist (Yahya).

Despite the fact that now the exhibition of sacred relics is considered a museum exhibition, a large number of Muslims come here not only to look at the ancient shrines, but also to worship them.

Sword of the Prophet Muhammad. Arabia, 7th century

The sword of the Prophet Muhammad is one of the main shrines of Islam, as it not only has memorial significance, but is also covered in many legends. Tradition says that during his life, Muhammad owned nine swords, each of which had its own name. He inherited some of them, received others as gifts from his comrades, and captured others as trophies in battles.

However, Muhammad was not a warrior by profession; he was born in 571 into a family of wealthy merchants and spent the first half of his life in Mecca completely peacefully. Left an orphan early, he was raised first by his grandfather, then by his uncles. Muhammad did not receive a large inheritance, and at the age of 25 he married a rich widow older than himself. Leading a prosperous life, he left trade and began to show interest in philosophical and religious teachings, of which there were many known in Arabia. At the age of about 40, in 610, the first revelation was sent to him, and soon Muhammad began to preach the doctrine of faith in one Allah. His activities in Mecca led to conflict with some of its inhabitants, including his relatives. The Prophet and his supporters in 622 made the hijra - the migration from Mecca to Medina. Since this time, the Muslim calendar has been counted. A year later, a war began between the supporters of Muhammad and the adherents of polytheism from Mecca, during which some of the swords kept today in Topkapi were used.

However, the sword al-Qadib (“Bar”, “Rod”) was never used in battles; similar weapons were used by travelers and pilgrims on dangerous medieval roads. It has a narrow thin blade about a meter long. On one side of it there is an Arabic inscription written in silver: “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His prophet.” Mohammed Ben Abdallah Ben Abd al-Mutallib." There is no indication in any historical source that this sword was used in any battle. It remained in the house of the Prophet Muhammad and was used later by the Fatimid caliphs. The tanned leather scabbard appears to have been restored in later periods.

In addition to this sword, there are several other blades in Topkapi that also belonged to Muhammad. Another of his swords is kept today in the Hussein Mosque in Cairo.

Treasury Building

One of the oldest buildings in the third courtyard is the so-called Fatih Pavilion (Fatih Köshkü), the building of which stretches along the Sea of Marmara. Its building, also called Enderun Hazinesi (Treasury of the Courtyard), was built during the time of Sultan Mehmed II (around 1460) and was among the first in the emerging structure of the new palace. It was conceived as a place to store the main treasures of the Sultan's treasury, which could leave the palace only on especially important occasions.

The world would be a very boring place without unknown, mystical and supernatural things.

Throughout history, there have been artifacts that have been attributed magical properties and that are beyond human understanding.

In our review, 10 supernatural relics and their unusual stories.

1. Buddha tooth

According to legend, when Buddha was cremated, only his left fang remained from his body. The tooth became a symbol of Buddha, and after that many people fought for the right to own such a relic. Today the tooth is officially kept in the "Temple of the Tooth" in Sri Lanka, but over the centuries some pretty incredible stories have happened to it. The Buddha's tooth was first mentioned as an ornament in the hairstyle of Princess Dantapura in the 4th century AD.

During the colonial era, the Portuguese, who seized control of Sri Lanka, burned the tooth, declaring it heresy. At the same time, the ashes were thrown into the ocean. Fortunately, the burned tooth was a fake, and the real one was carefully preserved for centuries. Some temple visitors claim that the relic has healing properties.

2. Dunvegan Fairy Flag

The famous MacLeod clan in Scotland owns an heirloom that has been passed down from generation to generation. According to one legend, this flag originally belonged to the Norwegian king Harald Hardrad, and with it the king went to conquer Great Britain in 1066. When the king was killed, the flag was passed on to his descendants. According to another version, which the MacLeod representatives themselves insist on, the fourth leader of the clan fell in love with a fairy princess, who was forbidden to marry mortal people. Her father eventually relented, and the princess was allowed to spend a year and a day with her beloved. During this time she gave birth to a boy. To prevent her child from crying, she covered him with a magic blanket, under which the child immediately calmed down. As a result, this blanket became the clan flag.

The flag supposedly has magic that will protect clan members if necessary, but only three times. In 1490, under this flag, the MacLeods fought the MacDonalds and were victorious. In 1520, the flag was again used in battle against the MacDonalds, and again victory was won.

3. Prophet Muhammad's cloak

The cloak worn by the Prophet Muhammad is a sacred relic. According to legend, the cloak was brought to Afghanistan by the first king of the modern Afghan state, Ahmad Shah Durrani. Today, the king's remains and cloak are kept in a well-guarded shrine in Kandahar. The cloak is kept under lock and key, the key to which is held only by the family of guardians. In 1996, the Taliban made the cloak their symbol when Mullah Omar appeared with it in front of an audience. Thus, he violated the unwritten law of Islam, which forbade showing the cloak to people.

4. Relics of St. John the Baptist

There are many stories about one of the major figures of early biblical history, as well as regarding relics associated with John the Baptist. In 2010, excavations on the island of St. John in Bulgaria found a small urn containing pieces of a skull, jaw, hand and tooth. Nearby was a small box with an engraving of the saint's birthday (June 24).

The reliability of the find has been criticized, but these relics have a better chance of being real than all the others that are known to date. When archaeologists from the University of Oxford carbon-dated the remains, they found that the bones dated back to the first century AD, when St. John was beheaded on the orders of King Herod.

5. Life-giving Cross

Just as in the case of the relics of St. John the Baptist, many parts of the Life-Giving Cross are kept in churches around the world. It is generally accepted that the real relic is located in the Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. In addition to the three pieces of wood that were allegedly part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, the church also houses other relics such as two needles from Christ's crown of thorns and one of the nails used in the crucifixion. The relics were collected by Saint Helena, who became famous thanks to the legalization of Christianity.

6. Stone of Destiny

The Stone of Doom, also called the Stone of Scone, has long been the coronation site for the rulers of Scotland. Not surprisingly, it was also a point of contention between Scotland and England. Information about how this artifact appeared has long been lost. According to one legend, it was a stone that Jacob used as a pillow when he dreamed of ascending to heaven. It was also said that the Ark later moored to this stone.

It is likely that the stone came to Britain via Ireland, where it was used to confirm the oath of their kings. In 840 the stone was moved from Scone to Perthshire, where it became the site of the unification of the Picts and Scots. In 1292, John Balliol was crowned on the stone, the last king of Scotland to receive this honor. In 1296, Edward I captured the Stone of Destiny and moved it to Westminster Abbey, where it was kept for centuries. The stone was returned to Scotland in 1996, but some are convinced it is a fake.

7. Cortana, sword of mercy

The coronation of British monarchs has historically been a rather complex process. In Great Britain there are several swords that are used at the coronation of new monarchs: the Great Sword, the Precious Sacrificial Sword, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and Cortana - the sword of mercy. Cortana is the only sword to be named at the coronation of Henry III in the early 13th century. The flat blade of the sword was shortened, and the sharp end was completely removed. According to legend, the sword first appeared as part of the royal regalia under King John in 1199. He received the sword at the time he became Count of Morten. And the legendary knight Tristan is considered the original owner of the sword.

8. Chalice of Nanteos

There are several legends about the Cup of Nanteos - a small wooden drinking vessel that was found in the time-ruined Welsh mansion of Nanteos. Many believers believe that the Cup of Nanteos is the Holy Grail. The first records of the cup appeared in 1870, when it was exhibited at Lampeter University. By 1906, not only had the cup become firmly associated with the Grail, but healing properties had also begun to be attributed to it. Despite the fact that the cup (as research has shown) was created in the Middle Ages, a new legend was born. Sick and elderly people were given water to drink from the cup, and some of them claimed healing. In July 2014, the cup was stolen.

9. Lia Fail

Like the Stone of Destiny (sometimes these stones are even confused), Lia Fail is the stone on which the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned. Lia Fail, which stands on the Hill of Tara, was a central figure in the coronations of Irish kings and the celebrations held in their honor for more than 5,000 years. The 1.5-meter stone was transported several times, and it took its current location in 1824. According to legend, Lia Fail was one of the four gifts brought to the mortal world by the tribe of the goddess Danu. Other gifts were a sword, a spear, and a cauldron.

10. Cornerstone

In the list of unusual stories one cannot help but mention Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is the meeting point of three very different religions, in which it is considered sacred. Among the most revered sites in Jerusalem is the Cornerstone, which formed the basis of the Temple Mount, also known as the Holy Court.

According to Muslim beliefs, the Cornerstone is the place where Muhammad was resurrected. It is also believed to be the origin of all the fresh water in the world. Muslims believe that under the Cornerstone there is a bottomless pit where the souls of the dead await their judgment. According to Jewish beliefs, this is the place where the creation of the world began. The stone is also the site of the creation of the Ten Commandments.

The world would be a very boring place without unknown, mystical and supernatural things. Throughout history, there have been artifacts that have been attributed magical properties and that are beyond human understanding. In this review, 10 supernatural relics and their unusual stories.

1. Buddha tooth

2. Dunvegan Fairy Flag

3. Prophet Muhammad's cloak

4. Relics of St. John the Baptist

5. Life-giving Cross

6. Stone of Destiny

7. Cortana, sword of mercy

The coronation of British monarchs has historically been a rather complex process. In Great Britain there are several swords that are used at the coronation of new monarchs: the Great Sword, the Precious Sacrificial Sword, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and Cortana - the sword of mercy. Cortana is the only sword that received its name at the coronation of Henry III in the early 13th century. The flat blade of the sword was shortened, and the sharp end was completely removed. According to legend, the sword first appeared as part of the royal regalia under King John in 1199. He received the sword at the time he became Count of Morten. And the legendary knight Tristan is considered the original owner of the sword.