Topkapı Palace

For a total of 400 years, from the 15th century all the way to the early 19th century, the Topkapi Palace was the beating heart of the Ottoman Empire. Built at the tip of the Seraglio Point overlooking the Golden Horn, it was home to 30 sultans of the Dynasty, each adding their own personal touch over the years. Admission is subject to a fee, but it’s worth every penny. Trust me when I say it’s a must-see. This wasn’t just any palace; it was truly a city within a city, housing not only the sultan’s family, but also his servants and soldiers. But that’s not all! It was also the seat of the Ottoman government, with the Imperial Council Hall, where the ministers met with the Grand Vizier. The great Ottoman Empire was ruled from this very room for centuries! The sultan would attend meetings from a hidden secret room with a grilled opening that allowed him to listen in without being seen. He thus kept his advisors on their toes and ensured their loyalty – they never knew whether the sultan was present or not. Of all the places to visit here, the Harem is no doubt the most mysterious. The only men allowed in were the eunuchs, who were there to serve the women, and of course the sultan, who ultimately owned them. The Harem itself had a very strict social hierarchy. On the first floor, in the shared quarters, you’d find the slaves, who were either kidnapped or bought to serve the sultan. Upstairs, in private apartments, lived the concubines, those among the slaves who had had the “honor” of lying with the sultan. Then, at the very top, lived the sultan’s favorites, the concubines who had given him a son or those whom he was particularly fond of. All the women in the Harem answered to the Sultan’s mother, the Valide sultan. Sure, it all sounds so charming, but just imagine all the dark intrigues that unfolded within these very walls; the concubines had to fight tooth and nail to climb the social ladder, as their survival and that of their sons literaly depended on it. As the Ottoman Empire began to crumble, the sultan left the Topkapi Palace and the nobility moved to sumptuous palaces along the Bosporus, such as the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace, which is by the way well worth a visit.