April 5, 2023

The Sultan AbdUlmecid’s Tughra in Washington…

If you are planning to visit Washington these days, I’m sure the Washington Monument is on your list of places to see. But did you know about the marble tablet bearing the tughra of Sultan Abdülmecid, which has been displayed on the 17th floor of the monument since 1888? Before diving into the story of the marble tablet sent by Sultan Abdülmecid as a gesture of friendship with the United States, let’s start with the construction of the Washington Monument.

“To confirm the continuation of friendship, the pure name of Abdülmecid Khan was inscribed on the lofty stone in Washington…”

The Monument Built in Memory of George Washington

A design competition was held to honor the first President of the United States, George Washington (1732-1799), and to commemorate his contributions to the nation. Among many proposals, Robert Mills’ design—a structure resembling ancient Egyptian obelisks but much taller—was accepted. Construction began on July 4, 1848, the U.S. Independence Day, and reached 47 meters before being halted due to lack of funds, political disputes, and the Civil War. After an 18-year pause, the then-president ordered the completion of the monument, and construction resumed. The monument was completed in 1884 and officially opened in 1888.

Made of marble, granite, and sandstone, the monument stands at 169.29 meters tall and consists of 36,491 blocks. Upon its completion, it became the tallest structure in the world, a title previously held by the Cologne Cathedral. Although it lost this title to the Eiffel Tower in 1889, it remains the world’s tallest obelisk and the tallest structure in Washington.

The Journey of Abdülmecid’s Gift to Washington

During the construction of the monument, the U.S. Department of State requested friendly nations to contribute to the monument. Representatives of countries in Washington were informed that any commemorative items they sent would be mounted on the monument. Emin Bey, the Ottoman representative in Washington, relayed this request to Istanbul. Sultan Abdülmecid decided to send an inscribed marble slab. The inscription, written by the renowned calligrapher Kazasker Mustafa İzzet Efendi, was engraved on a marble slab adorned with decorative motifs, and the sultan’s tughra was placed on it. Measuring 150 cm by 80 cm, the marble slab was handed over to American representatives for delivery to Washington. The gift, sent in September 1853, arrived in New York in May 1854 and was later transported to Washington.

The marble tablet, a gift from the Ottoman Sultan, was placed at the 57-meter mark of the 60-story-high monument and is located on the 17th floor.

In addition to the marble slab sent by Sultan Abdülmecid, the monument features a large plaque with Chinese inscriptions, a wide marble piece from the ancient Library of Alexandria, a Greek inscription, a rare relief from local rulers in North Africa, and a 3,000-year-old statue from ancient Egypt.

The monument offers a breathtaking view of the city. When you visit, you can also see the Capitol, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial.