Istanbul Topkapi Palace

Welcome to Topkapi Place, Imperial home of the Ottoman Sultans for five hundred years.

Starting in the mid-1300s the prime real estate in Constaninople, sorry - now called Istanbul - conquest you know, was reserved for the Sultans.  Over looking the confluence of the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara this place has great views.  Put a giant honking wall around it and it's yours.

This is just one of numerous pavilions - covered in Iznik tiles and mother-of-pearl wood work - that dot the gardens and lawns of Topkapi.  Here, in this building, the affairs of state were discussed while the Sultan sat behind a metal grill, watching.  (Or was he watching, perhaps the pleasures of the Harem with the four official wives plus the concubines might rearrange his schedule.)

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Here is part of the Sultan's private bed room.  We can not adequately describe the marvellous variety of tile designs that blanket the walls.  Let's just say we must have ~ thirty-five photos of separate patterns and we chose only a sample.

Little wall alcove for your cup of pomegranate juice.

Here is the wonderful view from the back gardens Topkapi.  No single photo can do justice to the sweep of water and the bustle of boats. We counted 21 in motion and more stationary.

Our breakfast view.  Packsack in the shade / tower in the sun.

Eggs for the early morning omlette on the sidewalk as we are leaving town.   Golden omelette  and good capaccinio.  Next stop down the hill, the crowded tram for 15 stops then the metro for another four stops.  Tiny bit loaded down.  Airport and beginning steps towards home.