The painting depicts the Bakhchysarai Palace (also known as Khan's Palace or Hansaray), a 16th-century architectural complex that served as the residence of a succession of Crimean Khans. Built in 1532 by Sahib I Giray, it is considered the only preserved example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture in the world. The palace complex was built with a blend of Ottoman, Persian, and Italian architectural styles. It originally included a mosque, a harem, a cemetery, living quarters, and gardens. The palace's famous "Fountain of Tears" was the subject of a narrative poem by Russian writer Alexander Pushkin.