Topkapi Palace

Next on our honeymoon travels during our time in Istanbul, Turkey was a short visit to Topkapi Palace.

Topkapi is a palace in Istanbul which was the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years. Needless to say, this place has some history!

Our tour group walked through the entire palace and enjoyed the sights.

  

We entered thorough the Gate of Salutation.

  

Anyone speak old Ottoman?

Just like everywhere else we had seen in Turkey so far, the Topkapi Palace was gorgeous. I really enjoyed all the small detail in every little thing.

   

The Palace had 4 courtyards which led from the front of straight through to the back. It is full of interconnected galleries and passageways – each courtyard got smaller as you walked through to the next with the most inaccessible in the back with the harem.

In the rooms surrounding the courtyards there were different exhibits throughout the palace. Topkapi is home to the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the Prophet Muhammed’s cloak and sword, crown jewels of the Ottoman Empire and even John the Baptist’s arm! I wish I could remember all the cool things we saw – it blew me away but we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside due to security issues along with the fact that the relics were priceless.

 

My favorite part of our visit to Topkapi Palace was the view outside one of the balconies. 

 

It had a magnificent view of the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus Strait.

 

Across the Strait is Asia!

 

It was such a clear, gorgeous day – we got great views!

    

I heart this photo.

        

More gorgeous blue tile.

Did I mention that Charles took video clips throughout our travels? Once I figure out how to edit it all together, I will have a fun little post for you! Stay tuned for that!

That Palace was really cool to see, but I was slightly obsessed with the views.

   

Check out the old seawall.

 

The Yerevan Kiosk which was home to a 40 day religious retreat.

 

The Circumcision Room – which was dedicated to the circumcision of young princes. Yee – haw!

 

In another part of the palace we saw the view from the Old City (where we were) to the New City.

 

The Blue Mosque in the distance.
   

More video taping going on – Seriously no picture or video recording could do this place justice!

 

Newlyweds under the İftar Pavilion – word on the street is this is where the sultan loved to hang out.

It also offered a sweet view of the Golden Horn.
 

After seeing the main attractions in the Palace, we went off exploring.

              

Can you imagine living here? Calling someplace like this your home? That would be crazy!

    

Topkapi Palace was a beautiful second stop on our tour during our second day in Istanbul, but the fun was just beginning!

Next stop is Hagia Sophia!