A Sultan at the beginning of the century: Safiye Sultan's life and monuments

Safiye Sultan, who became the Valide Sultan after his son Mehmed III ascended the throne in 1595, became one of the most important characters of the period. The great devotion Mehmed had for his mother made Safiye Sultan very effective on the Sultan and his decisions. Increasing her influence in the Palace, Valide Safiye Sultan also became an active figure outside the Ottoman borders by establishing a close friendship with Queen Elizabeth I of England and having contacts with Venice. Due to her influence on her son, she reached the position where she had the last word on dismissals and appointments in state cadres. This era, when women had weight in the state governance began in the 16th century with Hürrem Sultan and ended in the 17th century with Valide Hatice Turhan Sultan, included Valide Safiye Sultan as well. Although there's a noteworthy number of researches about Hürrem Sultan, Nurbanu Sultan, Kösem Sultan and Hatice Turhan Sultan, there is almost no independent research on Safiye Sultan. This lack of adequate research on her directed us to study the life and works of Safiye Sultan. Safiye Sultan established various charitable foundations and financed many mosques and buildings around the mosques. Witnessing the last years of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and the first years of her grandchild Sultan Ahmed I's reign in additions to the whole reigns of Sultan Selim II, Sultan Murad III, Sultan Mehmed III, Safiye Sultan was residents in the palace for almost half a century. Safiye Sultan has been remembered as a mighty Valide Sultan thanks to her palace experience. With this study, it is expected that valuable new information will be added to Harem literature and to the literature related to the life and the era of Safiye Sultan.