The Grand Palace of the Ottoman Sultans for much of their 600 year reign, the lavish Topkapi abode rivals the opulence of the Spanish Alhambra, the Xanadu of ancient China, the French Versailles or the Indian Fatehpur Sikri. Topkapi achieved international fame through the movie `Topkapi', about the theft of the eponymous dagger that is still one of its star attractions.
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| At the gate to Topkapi Palace. | The famous Topkapi dagger, encrusted with 5 Columbian emeralds and 53 diamonds. |
Gilded Ottoman calligraphy at the entrance to Topkapi, with verses from the Quran and tughras for the sultans |
Decorative lacework at the harem entrance |
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| Blue Iznik tile decorations, Topkapi harem | Emblem of the Caliph, saying "Mahmud Khan son of Abdülhamid is forever victorious". |
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| Green pendantive, Topkapi harem | Reliquary containing the tooth of Prophet Mohammed | Ewer | Throne of the Sultan inside the Imperial Hall |
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| Chandelier inside Imperial Hall |
