Construction of the Topkapi Palace was begun after the Turkish conquest of the Byzantine Empire in the 15th century, and was not only the home of the Sultan and his harem, but was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. The main entrance resembles a medieval castle.
At the end of a long inner couryard surrounded by walls, with barracks and kitchen areas on the right, was the entrance to the Sultan's rooms.
This was the reception room for visiting dignitaries.
The Sultan's state seal is shown in the plaque at the bottom left.
These doors are the entrance to the women's quarters, the Harem.
These rooms have unbelieveably beautiful tilework on virtually every surface.
The extensive quarters for the mother of the Sultan, the Queen Mother, was especially ornate.
This domed ceiling was covered with tiles with images of green vines.
Even the fireplaces were covered with tiles.
This was the larger courtyard, where the women were actually permitted to go outside.
And this is the present-day view.
Tiles covered even the bottoms of the roof eaves.
This little beauty stood in a park nearby.
Upon leaving the Palace, this soldier gave me a tiny smile when I took his picture.
At the end of a long inner couryard surrounded by walls, with barracks and kitchen areas on the right, was the entrance to the Sultan's rooms. 
Upon leaving the Palace, this soldier gave me a tiny smile when I took his picture. 
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