Sitting in the Topkapi Palace outer gardens, the museum was founded by sultan's decree as the Imperial Museum and opened to the public in 1891.
Since the imperial decree protecting cultural goods in the Ottoman empire was enforced, many governors from the different provinces would send in found artefacts to the capital city, Istanbul. In that way the museum was able to amass a great collection. For instance:
The oldest known treaty in the world and a copy of it is displayed on the wall of the United Nations in New York City, the Kadesh Peace Treaty was signed between Emperor Hattusili III of Anatolian Hittite Empire (Asia Minor) and Pharaoh Ramesses II of Ancient Egypt in 1258 BC.
The ornate Alexander Sarcophagus, once believed to be prepared for Alexander the Great, is among the most famous pieces of ancient art in the museum.
The large Gate of Salutation, also known as the Middle Gate, leads into the palace and the Second Courtyard.
The Topkapi Palace is a palace which was the official and primary residence of the ottoman Sultans, from 1465 to 1853.
The palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. The name directly translates as "Cannon-gate Palace", from the palace being named after a nearby, now lost gate.
Initial construction started in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople.
Apatha, Guard of Topkapi Palace, Han-hwa and Lilla.
Cruise ship pier to Bosphorus.
Let's go!
Lilla and Hanhwa.
Steve and Agatha.
Grand Bazaar.
Dinner at a seafood restaurant.
Please be seated and our day 2 party begins.
