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 Topkapi Palace by Jim_EliasonLeave a Comment
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 Topkapi Palace by violeta13
Topkapi Palace continued to be the principal residence for four centuries until in 1853, Sultan Abdul Mecid I moved into the new palace of Dolmabahce on the Bosphorus.
Open between 9:00 am-5:00 pm everyday except for Tuesdays Leave a Comment
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 Topkapi Second Courtyard-Divan
Meydani by Kuznetsov_Sergey, 2 more photos
The courtyard was completed probably around 1465 during the reign of Mehmed II but received its final appearance around 1525-1529 during the reign of Suleyman I. This courtyard is surrounded by the former palace hospital, bakery, Janissary quarters, stables, the imperial Harem and Divan to the north and the kitchens to the south.
At the end of the courtyard the Gate of Felicity marks the entrance to the Third Courtyard. The whole area is unified by a continuous marble colonnade, creating an ensemble.
You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 0' 45.11" N 28° 59' 1.95" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Second Courtyard 2.
or 41° 0' 44.24" N 28° 59' 2.65" E and on my Google Earth Panoramio Second Courtyard . Directions: You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 0' 44.50" N 28° 59' 3.65" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Divan Meydani.
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 Topkapi Imperial Council-Divan
Humayun by Kuznetsov_Sergey, 2 more photos
The first Council chambers in the palace were built during the reign of Mehmed II, and the present building dates from the period of Süleyman the Magnificent.
The Council Hall has multiple entrances both from inside the palace and from the courtyard. The porch consists of multiple marble and porphyry pillars, with an ornate green and white-colored wooden ceiling decorated with gold. The floor is covered in marble. The entrances into the hall from outside are in the rococo style, with gilded grills to admit natural light. Directions: You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 0' 39.57" N 28° 58' 55.89" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Imperial Mint .
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 Topkapi Arms Collection-Dis
Hazine by Kuznetsov_Sergey, 4 more photos
Since there was another ("inner") treasury in the Third Courtyard, this one was also called outer treasury. Although it contains no dated inscriptions, its construction technique and plan suggest that it was built at the end of the 15th century during the reign of Süleiman I.
The Arms Collection consists of weapons that remained in the palace at the time of its conversion, is one of the richest assemblages of Islamic arms in the world, with examples spanning a period of 1300 years from the 7th to the 20th century.
Currently on exhibition are some 400 weapons, most of which bear inscriptions. Directions: You may watch my high resolution photo of Istanbul on the Google Earth according to the following coordinates 41° 0' 48.09" N 28° 59' 3.69" E or on my Google Earth Panoramio Sultan Chambers.
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 by AggelikiLeave a Comment
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 a part of the exterior by Aggeliki
The Treasury Room of Topkapi Palace displays one of the world's largest diamonds, the 86-carat Spoon Maker. Other treasure is the jeweled sultan's throne. Leave a Comment
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During the Ottoman era, the Second Courtyard was devoted to issues of state and justice, receiving foreign dignitaries, and audiences with the sultan. Peacocks and gazelles roamed the grassy enclosure with tree-lined black pebble paths and rose gardens. Along the seaward wall is the site of the kitchens where up to 800 people worked every day preparing meals for the entire palace community of 4000 plus. The kitchens now house one of the largest collections of Asiatic porcelain in the world, upwards of 10000 Chinese and Japanese artifacts, open in part to the public. A collection of royal carriages is also housed in the Second Courtyard.
We chose to visit the Imperial Council building ( Kubbealti ) where the vezirs and other politicians gathered for debate on religious, political, and administrative issues. Foreign ambassadors received by the vizers were directed here. Also, wedding ceremonies for the sultan's daughters took place in this building. Kubbealti means 'under the dome' referring to the ceiling of the main hall of the Council. Rising above is the tallest building in the Topkapi palace, the Tower of the Justice, a strategic lookout over the harbor, but closed to the public now. The meeting hall site is one of the oldest, but fires led to many renovations over the years.
The exterior of the Imperial Council is strikingly ornate with multiple entrance doors ( image 1 ) to the two main chambers. The main debate room ( image 2) features high on the wall a golden grill. Behind the grill is a small room in which the sultan ( or his mother ) could listen in on the discussions without being observed. If the sultan rapped on the grill, the meeting was terminated. The second major room (image 3 ) features a fountain in the center where discussions could be held without fear of being overheard.
Ancient trees ( image 5 ) - the large trees lining the courtyard are centuries old. At one point, disease rotted out the interiors but enough remained for the trees to survive. Second trees, often figs, then grew and became intertwined with the originals. Leave a Comment
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 Topkapi by Bigjones
In 1924, Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum. You can now admire the whole building : the residential areas, the harem, the offices, the kitchens, the gardens - but also a lot of treasures such as swords and daggers, royal clothes, carpets, textiles, ceramics, manuscripts, jewels, armor, paintings and other finely crafted objects of art.
It will take you about three hours to visit everything so don't get in too late. Entrance fee : 15 million turkish lira. Leave a Comment
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 Topkapi: also lovely gardens by vtveen
It is for sure the combination between beautiful buildings, gardens, courtyards and museums makes Topkapi such a special place in Istanbul.
Besides there are lovely views over the Bosphorous and the Golden Horn. An absolutely must see activity !!
A complete visit to the Topkapi Palace is rather expensive: Palace 12 (new) lira, Harem 10 (new) lira, Treasury 10 (new) lira and the Archeological Museum 5 (new) lira. Leave a Comment
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