The
political and symbolic center since
the conquest of Istanbul, Topkapi
Palace is a vast collection of
buildings connected by a series of
courtyards in the fashion of all the
great Islamic palaces. Topkapi
Palace housed the sultan and the
royal family for centuries as well
as the empire's highest political
institutions. A meticulously
arranged museum today,
Topkapi Palace contains different
sections such as a series of four
different courtyards, Istanbul's
oldest surviving church - Aya Irene,
the Divan - the Imperial Court where
the affairs of the state were dealt
with, the Treasury and the Harem.
A complete tour of the palace might
very well take most of a day, so
visitors are recommended to do some
preparation in advance, at least by
reserving some reading time for this
fascinating complex.
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