Topkapi palace was a short walking distance from our hotel. It doesn't stand out at all from a distance. The mosques are the great buildings that make up the skyline of Istanbul. The palace could easily be overlooked. Here is a picture from later in the day. See the small lone tower in the center of the photograph? That is Topkapi Palace.
The palace consists of many buildings all encompassed about by an outer wall. I loved looking at all the design elements in the palace, the tile, the metal work, the stone.
I didn't take pictures of the relics for obvious reasons. And there were several other areas in the palace where photography was forbidden. I always obey the rules for where I should and should not take pictures. I am a guest after all.
Here are the photos I did take.
Inside spaces
This first room is the room where the sultans kept their turbans. Those beautiful mother-of-pearl doors open to cabinets.
I don't remember the specific purposes of each of the other rooms. I just know that they were beautiful and ornate.
Outdoor spaces
For this first photo, I am inside the palace walls looking back toward the main entrance.
Details
I was so enthralled in the intricate details found everywhere in the palace. It was like walking through an art museum.
Carved wooden door.
The View
The day was pretty cloudy and gray for us. But I bet on a sunny day, this place would feel like paradise. We wanted a picture of the Asian side of Istanbul, but the fog blocked it completely.
We saw a big group of small boats all congregated together. We wondered if they were small fishing boats. No idea.
Instead of the Asian side of Istanbul, here is the skyline across the Haliç (or Golden Horn) estuary.
See that tower near the center? Erick and I decided to walk to it and climb it. Coming soon...
1 comment:
Details, details, details! It's almost overwhelming how detailed everything is! The tile, carvings, woodwork, lighting, everything! Wow!
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