Topkapi Palace

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The Byzantine church of Aya Eirene pre dates the Topkapi.  Once construction on the Palace began it could no longer be used as a church and was turned into an armory.  For this reason it never became a Mosque.   It is now used as a concert hall. We tried very hard to persuade the caretaker to let us take a peek inside but were unsuccessful.

 

We were at the gate as the Palace opened.  Having bought our tickets and paid the photography fee we went straight across to the Harem ticket booth and bought tickets for the first tour of the day.    One can only enter the Harem as part of a conducted tour and they sell out early in the day.    Once you have your ticket you can tour other parts of the Palace and return to the Harem at the appointed time.
Unlike European palaces Topkapi is a collection of pavilions and gardens built around 4 courtyards. Somewhat similar in concept to the tented cities from which the nomadic Ottomans came.   Building began at Seraglio Point, where the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara meet, soon after the conquest of Constantinople in 1459.  From then until 1853 when it was abandoned in favour of the European style Dolmabahce Palace, it remained a work in progress.
The kitchens were designed by Sinan the famous Architect responsible for Suleymaniye Mosque.  The rows of chimneys above small domes make an interesting addition to the Palace roofscape.  
A chimney dome and shaft.  

In it's heyday the kitchen served 5000 people a day with up to 10,000 on holidays.  Nowadays it houses not only some of the original kitchen equipment but also a collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain.
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