TOPKAPI PALACE

Overlooking the İstanbul Boğazı and the Golden Horn stands the maze of buildings that was the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries . The first courtyard is a magnificent wooded garden . On the right of the second court , shaded by cypress and plane trees is the palace kitchen , now housing an exquisite collection of crystal , silver , and Chinese porcelain , while on the left is the Harem , the secluded quarters of the wifes and concubines of the sultan . The third court contains the Hall of Audience of the sultan , the Library of the Sultan Ahmet III , an exhibition of robes worn by the sultans and their families , the famous jewels of the İmperial Treasury and lastly , an exhibition of miniatures  . In the centre of the third court is the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed .