City of Countless Names- Pera p3

The Diplomatic Missions of Pera

Politics in the east revolve around Constantinople and its quarter of Pera is the center of European politics in Constantinople. Consuls, embassies, and legations belonging to the major powers of the western world cluster along the Grand Rue de Pera. Patriotic banners hang from every balcony. Dragomans scurry from diplomatic offices to stately mansions bearing important messages. 

Embassies are the most influential of the foreign missions, lead by an Ambassador appointed by their nation to represent their monarch to the Sultan’s court. European society in Constantinople centers on Pera’s embassies. One day each week, embassies open their doors to visiting guests desiring favors, the ambassador’s influence, or to hear gossip from the continent. Most famously, embassies host the most important gathering for the European high society in Constantinople, embassy balls. Ambassadors invite the most prominent of their citizens, diplomats from other nations, pashas, and notable Ottomans to mingle for an evening of fine music and food.

Bearing less prestige, the consul in charge of his nation’s consulate protects and serves his nation’s subjects abroad. Some European powers, such as England, keep both an embassy in Pera and a consulate in Galata. In a broad sense, the embassy deals with the Sultan’s court and its fellow embassies, while the consulate deals with the problems of its citizens in Constantinople. 

The Ottoman Empire gives foreign consulates judicial authorities over their subjects abroad. Consuls act as judge and jury for their countrymen accused by their fellows or those of another nation. Convoluted cases or cases which may end with a sentence of execution often require consultation with an Ambassador or their nations’ government. Those sentenced to short imprisonments serve their time in the small jail present on every consulate grounds. A small contingent of their nation’s soldiers watch over diplomatic missions and high ranking staff.

Although they serve the same purpose as a consulate, legations hold the lowest position in diplomatic rank, being run by a lowly minister. They rarely hold the attention of the Ottoman court and have little influence. Politically isolated countries or those newly interested in European affairs, such as the United States, keep a small legation in Constantinople. 

Despite their privileged position as an emissary, tensions between a nation and the Ottoman Empire, such as a war or a trade disagreement, could earn the country’s Ambassador a stay in the Seven Towers, the sultan’s prison fortress. Thankfully, Turkish foreign relations grew more sophisticated, and no ambassador has been imprisoned this century.

Here are the costs of passports issued by the various consulates in Constantinople. Nearly all diplomatic missions stay open from 10 am to 3 pm.

Austrian Consulate- free

British Consulate- 2 shillings

French Consulate- free

Italian Consulate- free

Prussian Consulate –free

Swedish Consulate- 2 shillings

United States Legation - $1

Next Week, we'll take a closer look at a few embassies and a legation suitable for an adventure in Constantinople.