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Ottoman Relics
We begin our tour at Topkapı Palace*, which, from
the 15th to the 19th century, was the principle residence
of the Ottoman Sultans. We will visit the fabolous
Imperial Treasury and the Baghdad Kiosk. Topkapı Palace is
now a museum and has unrivalled collections of jewelry,
including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the 3rd largest in the
world, Ottoman court costumes and ceramics, notably one of
the world’s finest collection of early Chinese ceramics,
much of it gifts from other rulers. Interestingly, some of
the ceramics have a special glaze that was said to change
color in the presence of poison. We also visit the
Imperial Armory, displaying centuries of Ottoman weaponry.
But perhaps the loveliest features of Topkapı Palace are
its courtyards with their ancient trees, and it is easy to
imagine the sultan strolling here far from the cares of
state and empire. The Süleymaniye Mosque is the largest
and grandest of Istanbul’s imperial mosques. It dates from
the 16th century heyday of the Ottoman Empire, and was
designed by Sinan, the greatest architect of his day and
originator of the Classical Ottoman style of architecture.
Of the 2,000 structures Sinan designed, Süleymaniye Mosque
and its complex of charitable institutions rank among the
most important.
*On Tuesdays, Topkapi Palace is closed.
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