Nurbanu Sultana

Nurbanu was an illegitimate daughter of a noble Venetian family, born, according to some sources, in 1525, and her name was Cecilia Venier-Baffo. Sacaoğlu notes that, according to legend, among all the captives captured in the hold during raids on the shores of the Mediterranean, Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha chose Baffo and considered her worthy of Selim II. However, both Sacaoğlu and Şahin agree that the available information is insufficient to reliably determine Nurbanu's origins. Anthony Alderson in his book The Structure of the Ottoman Dynasty also suggests that Nurbanu could have been a Venetian from the Venier-Baffo family. Her fate was decided by one of the successful raids of the desperate and lucky Kapudan Pasha, who was also a famous corsair in the service of the Sublime Porte of Hayreddin Barbarossa. The girl was captured at the age of 12, in 1537, was enslaved and delivered as a war trophy to the palace harem of Istanbul, where she was given to the harem. Her previous name, which she was given at birth, before being taken to the harem, was Cecilia, Cecilia Vernier Baffo.

Nurbanu is a cruel woman, a calculating sultana. She does not belong to the category of people who forget insults, and seeks to take revenge on all her enemies. Stubborn, hates to lose. Very powerful and feminine, belongs to the category of women-sultanas after and in the generation of Haseki Hurrem beginning to occupy the throne, is distinguished by intelligence and cunning, the ability to weave intrigues.

Long black hair, pale skin, scarlet lips and dark eyes. Her skin is like porcelain, her lips are plump and scarlet, standing out. Her look is cunning, holding many secrets.

Nurbanu could have been a Venetian from the Venier-Baffo family. Her fate was decided by one of the successful raids of the desperate and lucky Kapudan Pasha, who was also a famous corsair in the service of the Sublime Porte of Hayreddin Barbarossa. The girl was captured at the age of 12, in 1537, was enslaved and delivered as a war trophy to the palace harem of Istanbul, where she was given as a concubine into the hot embrace of Shehzade Selim. The young enchantress was able to envelop Shehzade Selim, who was greedy for female charms and intemperate in wine, with affection, attention and temptation. She followed him to Konya, where he was appointed governor, and there in 1544 she gave birth to his daughter, Shah Sultan, the following year to two more daughters, Gevherhan and Esmehan, and finally, in 1546, to a son, Murad. Nurbanu would build his path to power on the example of his mother-in-law, Hurrem. When her son Murad was sent as sanjakbey to Akşehir in 1558, she, like Hurrem before her, would not follow him, but would remain by her drinking husband's side as a beloved favourite.