May 03, 2005
May 2 Photos: Neha
The group enters the interior courtyard of Topaki Sarayi by passing through the gateway to the Second Court, pictured here.
The palace kitchens of Topaki Sarayi consist of ten large chambers, domed on the Marmara side. The chimneys of the kitchens are seen here, at left, as they tower over the courtyard.
The palace kitchens of Topaki Sarayi now house an impressive Porcelain Collection. Over 4500 pieces of Chinese porcelain are on display along with other glassware, including this piece from the Ming Dynasty beside Jackie.
The Third Court of Topaki Sarayi contains the Throne Room, Palace School, and the buildings that house the Treasury and Imperial Costume Collection, which are pictured here.
One of the most precious items stored in the Topaki Sarayis Treasury is this 86 carat diamond, the fifth largest in the world. This diamond was worn by Mehmet IV, in the aigrette of his turban, upon his ascension to the throne in 1648.
The Harem complex, seen here, contains some of the most impressive and elaborately decorated rooms of the entire palatial complex. The Harem was home to the female concubines of the sultan as well as the Black Eunuchs.
The Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs derives its particular name due to its close vicinity to the living apartments of the Black Eunuchs.
One of the rooms along the Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs is restored to include the figures of the Chief Black Eunuch, seated, and one of his underlings.
The Courtyard of the Cariyeler, or women servants, is pictured here. The three suites of rooms that occupy the right side of this courtyard, in this picture, were for the chief women officials of the harem: the Head Stewardess, the Treasurer, and the Chief Laundress.
The largest and grandest room in the palace is the Hünkâr Sofasi, the Hall of the Emperor. The Hünkâr Sofasi functioned as a reception room for the Emperor, where he entertained his harem and guests.
Katherine stands in front of one of the more elaborately decorated tile panels inside the corridor leading to the Double Kiosk.
The interior of one of the rooms of the Double Kiosk is seen here. The tiles in these rooms are of the very greatest period and both rooms contain magnificently painted wall panels.
Our tour guide, Hüsnü, stands in the open courtyard known as Gözdelere Taşhği, the Terrace of the Favorites. The long, two storey building at left is where the Sultan housed his favorite women.
The L-shaped Portico of Columns adjoins two sides of the Pavilion of the Mantle and contains kiosks opening from the east and west ends. The kiosk at the east end is the Rivan Köşkü. The one at the west end is the Sünnet Odasi, the Circumcision Room, the façade of which is seen at the end of the colonnade.
The group gazes at the ceiling and walls inside the Rivan Köşkü, which are revetted in Iznik tiles. The kiosk was built in 1936 by Murat IV to commemorate his capture of the Rivan, in the Caucasus.
The back façade of the Baghdad Köşkü is seen here. This kiosk was also built by Murat IV, a year after he captured Baghdad in 1638.
The interior of the Divan, the building complex that contained the Council Chamber, Public Records Office, and the Office of the Grand Vezir, is richly decorated and features low couches, for the councilmen to sit upon.
The Inner Treasury now houses the Topaki Sarayis Collection of Arms and Armor, including this suit of Turkish armor from the 16th century.
Standing in front of the Grand Bazaar, our group prepares to spend the afternoon shopping for friends and family.
Katherine, Jackie, and Laura pose in front of a shop selling lanterns in the Grand Bazaar.