Topkapi Palace and Museum Istanbul

An academic look at Istanbul 's best day out

Topkapi museum holds the most ostentatious, almost embarrassing, collection of riches you're ever likely to see. Including Memet the fourth's emerald handled dagger; which Peter Ustinov failed to get his hands on in a bungled burglary attempt in the 1960's Oscar winning film Topkapi. Although why he ignored the Spoonmaker's diamond(more of a boulder than a rock) still remains a mystery.

Undoubtedly the most informative site you'll find on Topkapi; this is the labor of love of an electronics engineering professor; and what it lacks in aesthetic refinement it more than compensates for in rich content. This site gives all the historical background on the exhibits; then embellishes it with folk tales and anecdote(why is it called the Spoonmaker's diamond?).

After the Treasury the male daydreamer usually heads for the Harem; with rooms for up to 600 concubines. It does get busy and you have to buy a separate ticket, so it's best to do this when you first arrive, and plan the rest of your visit around it.

Tucked away in a distant corner is the Chamber of Holy Relics. It's an atmospheric place, where women will have to cover up, but it's worth it to see; Moses' Red Sea staff, Mohamed's hair/ footprints and part of the skull of John the Baptist among other artifacts. From the site it's clear that there is a lot to see, and once you have been bitten it will be hard not to go back.

www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr

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