S02 · E09

The Sultan's Heart

Gates hunts for the Heart of Suleiman the Magnificent, ruler of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. When Suleiman died in 1566 during a battle in Hungary, his body was brought back to Istanbul, but not before a ritual was performed involving the removal of his heart being placed in a gold container and buried beneath his tent. The Sultan's followers believed his heart has magical powers and continues to beat, waiting to be returned to its host. The town of Tubek was built over the burial site to honor the Sultan.