Aaah... the Topkapi Palace! One of Istanbul's greatest palaces on the European side of the city. Built in the center of the Ottoman Empire overlooking the Bosphorus Sea, this amazing landmark was home to 31 Sultans between the 15th and 19th centuries!
It's got everything a under one, er... many roofs (way too many to count, in fact). Although its rich history spans hundreds of years, there's no way to deny the fact that it's absolutely breath-taking!! (Dick Osseman has taken some 'ossem' photos of the palace!)The kitchen was perhaps my favorite aspect of the palace, though there were much more luxurious parts of the palace (as most would agree). But there's something about knowing that hundreds of cooks slaved together 24/7 to create dishes worthy of the Sultan's tongue that puts the show Top Chef to shame. I mean, imagine having to keep 6000 residents of the palace fed throughout the day - including the big guy himself!
And boy were these sultans big!! Their portraits hung in one of the rooms, and they were either all overweight or obese. Not to mention, so were his wives (harem)! Well, I guess when you have your choices between your fast food and your fatty women (or is it fatty food and fast women?)... who cares about CVDs and STDs?
Although I know nothing official about architecture, I could deeply appreciate the time and effort it took to create such details in these structures. I mean, just look at this stuff! The building I'm standing in front of, parts of it are gold-plated, baby! Oh, don't even get me started on the 86-carat, 17 gram, pear-shaped Spoonmaker's Diamond. Uhm... hello!If you ever visit Topkapi Palace, never spend less than 3 hours (and that's if you're cruising through - no joke!) Get there early tour the rooms, enjoy the view from the restaurant during your lunch, then relax by the many gardens around the premises. On your way out... buy a simit.
Just to tease you... here is the view from Topkapi Palace! Enjoy!
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