The pavilion built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet on the remnants of a Byzantine structure was probably the first residence of the Sultan. It later housed the treasury and this tradition continued after the palace became a museum. In the basement of the building a small structure resembling a chapel still exists. When it was built around 1475, the Harem had not been constructed yet. It is not known definitely, but the building was turned into the treasury probably by Sultan Selim. The palace treasury was very rich during his reign. As a matter of fact, for centuries the treasury was sealed by the seal of Yavuz Sultan Selim. It was opened and closed by members of the treasury ward with a ceremony.There was a bath between the quarters of the Seferli which houses the Sultans’ Costumes Section today and the Treasury building. The bath was built by Sultan Selim II. There is a rumor that he died there when his foot slipped and he fell. There is an access from the first hall of the Treasury Section which consists of four halls to this bath.
Only the precious objects decorated with jewels and made of gold and silver are displayed in the Treasury Section. The rest of the objects which had been stored here for centuries have been moved to the appropriate sections after the palace became a museum (Porcelains, Costumes, Clocks, etc.). Also on display here are the precious objects which belong to the Hırka-i Saadet (Mantle of the Prophet) Section.
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