Posted May 12, 201213 yr istanbul: topkapi palace (1459-1856) aka yeni sarayi or new palace in turkish sultans, grand viziers, eunuchs and the harem -- it all went down in topkapi palace -- enjoy some of the finest examples of ottoman architecture! :clap: the initial ottoman palace (eski sarayi or old palace) was in beyazit square, now site of istanbul university. topkapi means cannon gate, named for a lost byzantine gate on the seraglio point site of the palace. the seraglio point palace setting was originally the site of the greek acropolis of byzantion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_Palace sultan mehmed II ordered the initial construction around the 1460s the layout of topkapi palace grounds across from sirkeci station old graveyard istanbul T1 hafif metro or light metro line palace walls in gulhane park park palace entrance awww yeah -- the harem entrance :mrgreen: the sultan was the only non-eunuch allowed in here harem courtyard the sultan’s mom’s room in the harem whattt? aaand another courtyard fireplaces, sinks and shelving got tile? :-D fancy former sultan’s privy water views of the anatolian or asian side from the palace seraglio point bosphorus bridge views over the golden horn (halic in turkish) galata tower hagia eirene -- enclosed in the palace grounds it predates topkapi palace by over 1000ys! it was built in the early 300ADs and was the 1st church built in constantinople there was a pre-christian temple here prior to that it was never a mosque -- the ottoman janissaries used it as an armory and storage shed today? its often used as a concert hall -- otherwise unfortunately you need special permission to enter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Irene main topkapi palace gate -- yes the served heads of traitors were displayed outside just outside the palace gate - the fountain of sultan ahmed III (1728) the architectural style is turkish rococo from the tulip period previously, a byzantine fountain called the perayton stood here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_of_Ahmed_III *** so how did the 400 year topkapi palace of the sultans era end? quietly. in 1856 one of the last sultans moved to dolmabache palace over the golden horn, a european style palace. topkapi was neglected until it was made into a museum in 1923. *** winding down -- neighborhood next to the palace walls http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So%C4%9Fuk%C3%A7e%C5%9Fme_Soka%C4%9F%C4%B1 fyi -- this is thee typical turkish breakfast -- the bagel thing is called a simit *** so thats how they lived like a sultan -- now its time to go back to our peasant lives lol! :laugh: ***
May 13, 201213 yr thanks, I'm lucky to get to a Turkish restaurant. What I don't get is that banner (that reminds me of police tape) that says "HAREM." Even if that indicates what it was, why would they put that in such an historic location? http://www.mainstreetpainesville.org/
May 14, 201213 yr I'm thorougly enjoying your Istanbul photos. It's a very different-looking and fascinating place that I doubt I will ever get to visit; thanks for sharing these views.
May 14, 201213 yr Like Mr. Pence, I will unlikely be able to actually walk the streets of this fabulous and fabled mega-city, so I also took great pleasure in this revealing set of photos. To be really appreciated, Istanbul's immensity and density require two feet on the ground and a willingness to suspend disbelief. Judging from what's recently being said and written about the city, Istanbul seems to be on the rise as one of the world's premier urban jewels and tourist attractions. Your photos, mrnyc, show why.
May 14, 201213 yr Beautiful photos. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
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