this place is by far the biggest palace in Turkey. It was started in 1453 and has had about 6 Sultans live here and add to the place. The lines to get in were crazy and inside just as bad. Of course it started ******* rain while we were lined up to get a ticket and it rained all morning. The ticket was expensive 45tl but I think worth it. It is a great money spinner for the govt, there must be thousands of people go everyday. The place was packed when I was there and there was still a procession of people going as I came out.
The harem was the best and most ornate part and I saw that part last.
When it was used there would have been 4000-5000 people living and working here so the kitchens were massive. I got the shopping list for one of the sultans in a photo so I hope you can see it.
The palace is on a hill so I got some panorama shots to show the weather. It has been ******* today but not quite as cold as yesterday
On the way back I stopped at Aya Sofia Tombs where a few of the sultans, their wives and children are buried.