Topkapi Palace

Home to the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, Topkapi Palace was originally constructed by Mehmed II during the 1460s. It is made up of four main courtyards surrounded by various smaller buildings and functioned almost as an autonomous city within the city. Today, the palace acts as a museum displaying not only its buildings, but also various artifacts from the Ottoman Period (carriages, Islamic antiques, royal jewelry and weapons....). Most of our time within the palace walls was spent exploring the fascinating Harem and although the royal jewelry and artifacts were beautiful, I was unable to photograph any of them.

The Imperial Gate was the sultan's main entrance to the palace and leads directly into the First Courtyard.

The First Courtyard is also the largest of the palace's four courtyards and functioned primarily as a park. Located on its grounds are the formal Imperial Mint and Church of Hagia Irene.

After seeing wild cats throughout Jordan and Egypt, we were not surprised to find them in Turkey, too. However, Turkish cats are much cleaner and in overall better condition than their Middle Eastern counterparts. It probably doesn't hurt that people like this man find them irresistible and feed them delicious Turkish treats.

The Gate of Salutation leads into the main palace grounds and the Second Courtyard.

THE HAREM

The Harem, containing 400 rooms connected by a series of hallways and courtyards, was home to the sultan's mother, wives, concubines, children, and servants.

The Courtyard of the Eunuchs

The Eunuchs (castrated men) acted as servants and guards to the women of the Harem.

Traditional Turkish tiles lined the walls throughout the Harem.

The Courtyard of the Sultan's Consorts and Concubines

It is surrounded by baths, a laundry fountain, dormitories and the apartments of the Sultan's chief consorts.

The Apartments of the Queen Mother are part of the largest section of rooms in the Harem. Included within the apartments are a music room, bedroom, reception room, dining room, and bathrooms.

The Queen Mother and her attendants

Marble-floored hallways lead between rooms.

Part of the Baths of the Sultan and Queen Mother.... cold, cold, cold!

The Imperial Hall served as the official reception room for the Sultan and the primary entertainment room of the Harem. From his throne (pictured), the sultan received his children and other guests while watching various performances, including wedding ceremonies.

Exterior of the Twin Apartments of the Crown Prince

The Crown Prince lived here in seclusion until adulthood when he traveled to another Anatolian province to receive training in the administration of state affairs.

The Courtyard of the Favorites included apartments for the Sultan's favorite consort, who assumed official titles and powers when she became pregnant.