# 4 Topkapi Palace

Porter, Miles and Mommy outside the Main Gate

(Ronan was at school this time)

Topkapi Palace is one of the big "Must See" sites on many tourists agenda. As for the palace itself, I enjoyed it-but the main draw that ranks this baby at number 4 

on our list is their collection of crowned jewels! 

There are two main palaces that the Sultans lived in throughout the centuries. 

Topkapi and Dolmabahçe Palace (being the later of the two-and still to come on our countdown)!

Topkapi was built in 1459, and used until 1853 

when they moved the principal residence to Dolmabahçe Palace.

Topkapi definitely has more of the "Aladdin" type feel,

 compared to the other-so it is really fun to see them both and see how history shaped them.

Here is Porter in front of the Council Chambers

One of the magnificent ceilings inside the chambers

One of the others

Here is Porter outside the Treasury.

This is my whole reason for loving this place!

They unfortunately wouldn't allow pictures inside, but let me assure you-

there is a HUGE assortment of the fanciest thrones, pencil cases, 

flasks, swords, daggers and jewelry that you might ever see! 

They are a collection given and received from tons of other famous rulers throughout history, plundered from conquered nations, and just some sparkly trinkets to make themselves feel good, I suppose! 

They wouldn't allow pictures of the real thing, but here is a photo I snapped of a replica for sale at the Hagia Sophia gift shop! This dagger is one of the most famous pieces in the collection.

 This was very similar to many of the pieces in the collection though,

 so let me just tell you-there are golfball sized emeralds a plenty! Craziness.

You can pay extra and tour the Harem. 

The rest of the photos are from that section.

There is a special pathway leading through the Harem that the Sultan went on. It was all decorated up in different designs along the way. I enjoyed this section. 

Seems that the "Chevron Stripe" has been in style 

much much longer than most people assume.ha!

Miles and the Tiles

(This is one of my favorite pictures of my boys in Istanbul!)

Fancy fireplaces coming out their ears...

Me, standing by a truly original "Turkish Toilet"!

A beautiful Olive tree ceiling 

Beautiful doors

Gathering place in the Queen Mother's apartments.

 Overall, Topkapi is a very unique place, that has many other cool features that we never were able to explore. It is the kind of place that could take you days to tour and see everything. Kind of like Versailles I think. For our part though, these are my favorites. Enjoy!