Porte

The Sublime Porte is the open court of the sultan, lead by the Grand Vizier. It got its name after the gate to the headquarters to the Grand Vizier, where the sultan held the greeting ceremony for foreign ambassadors. Later it became the Foreign Ministry and in contemporary times the office of the governor (Vali) of Istanbul Province. This name has also been interpreted as referring to the Empire's position as gateway between Europe and Asia.

The High Porte, in contrast, is the private court of the sultan.