Once the royal palaces of the Ottoman Sultans, the Topkapi Palace now houses a vast collection of ancient treasures from the Islamic world. Constructed on the site of the ancient Byzantine acropolis, the Palace lies opposite Hagia Sophia and is a maze of courtyards, pavilions, and palace chambers, including the infamous Sultan’s Harem. Scores of galleries house stunning artifacts representing the opulence of the Ottomans, as well as important historic pieces, such as the cloak and sword of the Prophet Mohammed. Access to the Harem section is by pre-booked guided tour only. The Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
Images: lensnmatter / Flickr
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