Built in the 15th century, the Topkapi palace is one of the largest palace-museums in the world with its striking architectural structure and design on display. History has it, during the Ottoman Empire, this was the meeting area for the royals. With a dazzling exhibition ranging from the gold studded seating areas to royal artefacts and gifts. This palace has it all and it really portrays the character of the bygone era. A palace, within itself, consists of small palace museums spread among four courtyards each representing contrasting fragments of the empire.
The first courtyard was considered as an Armoury and was used to develop a medical facility within the palace. However, the second courtyard was used as the ceremonial ground by the Sultan who had also constructed the ‘Tower of Justice’ which was a place for advocating fair-play among his empire. Adjacent to this building you can find other service buildings which boasts the palace kitchens and other related utility infrastructure.
Moving on, you can find the Third Courtyard which incidentally was the Palace of Agha. This place where the Agha’s themselves were tutored, also housed the Agha’s mosque, the conquerors pavilion and their privy room. This courtyard also has a few big and small rooms used to store pantry items and treasure chests. Lastly, the Fourth Courtyard, leads down to the grand Imperial Sofa which was used by the ambassadors and Sultan.
Take a tram to Sultanahmet or Gulhane, the nearest stations which are at a walking distance from the palace.
">CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Dow Hill