On the second day, we visited the Topkapi Palace. According to the guide books, it is the world's least pretentious palace! It was built by the Mehmet the Conqueror in 1475. As different sultans came to power (over 450 years), buildings were added on. So the place is a huge compound with lots of buildings.
Here we are walking up to the Palace (Ben, Maria, Jess, Ruth, and Sara).
The sweeping landscape before you reach the Palace.
Here is the entrance to the Palace. Looks a little like Disneyland!
There are over 300 rooms in the Palace. We started our tour in the Harem where 300 to 500 women once lived. It was rather sad listening to the audio guide talking about the women as their sole purpose was to produce male sultans and marry high level officials in the sultan's government.Throughout the Palace there were fireplaces, some more decorated then others. Here is a nice one in the Harem.
There was marble columns everywhere.
Every room had beautiful tile.
There were also sitting rooms throughout the Palace.
There was also a pool with different water features. Here is a wall fountain.
Another sitting room.
Every door and shutter was also impressive. 
The Palace also had beautiful jewelry and gifts from all over the world. It was a very interesting 4 hours as we wondered around.
1 comment:
Gorgeous!
Post a Comment