Topkapi Palace

On day three of our Istanbul adventures we headed back to the huge Sultanahmet area and Topkapi Palace.  The site was once residence to myriad Ottoman sultans and, as such, hosts a wealth of buildings with stunning views of both Europe and Asia.        

Dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was also crammed full of tourists who took pictures of the ceilings and pictures of the libraries and pictures of the fish ponds.  I didn't hold back; I'm a sucker for Turkish tiles.

And ceilings:

 And ceiling arches:

 And more tiles:

In-house open-air fountain/fish pond: 

 

 The reading room:

 With the stripes, I blend right in:

There are so, so many more.  Take my word for it--it's a big place.  Go visit; it's worth the entrance fee.