We continued thru the third gate which led us to the private area of the Sultan. Connected to the gate was the Audience Hall. The gate is called the Gate of Felicity and in the courtyard there was the Library, the Treasury. the Holy Relics, the Harem and much more. We hesitated about standing in line at the Treasury but we had been told that there were some very nice items in there as well as good views of the Asian side of Istanbul. So we went for it!
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The Felicity Gate or the happiness gate
A happy bit of calligraphy
Many religious relics were gathered here by the Sultan. One of these was Mohammad's banner flag. It was flown from this spot on special occasions
In we go to the area where the "White Eunuchs" operatied
The white eunuchs were pulled from light colored slave boys, emasculated and then trained to be teachers and administrators for the Sultan and his family
This was the prettiest gate
Tile, calligraphy and gilded borders
The Audience Hall where the Sultan would meet with very important visitors, one on one
This fountain was outside the Audience Hall. The sound of the fountain was an early form of soundproofing
More great tilework
The Sultan would sit on this bed and look regal
Of course a little fire place for when it got cold
Another fountain for more soundproofing
The Library was perhaps the most beautiful place in the palace
In the Dormitory of Campaigners the Sultan would go to get suited up for war
Inside there were many of the outfits the Sultans wore over the ages
Matching portraits were presented to show off the whole look
The portrait shows that this huge coat is not even the star of the outfit
Fancy accessories
Real fur
This is the center item that the turban was wrapped around
Putting the "E" in elaborate
The room was very large
Boots too
A hat by any other name is still quite fancy
Even a fez can get some bling
Three large tile panels
Very detailed
These were six feet by three
They did not seen to have any traditional chairs
In a long line for the Treasury
It is always a gamble...is the line too long for the reward of what is inside
These two found it to be all too much
The reason the line was so long is that everybody immediately slowed down to see the gold
The 87 karat diamond, the third largest in the words
and the huge hoard of precious stones, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, diamonds and topaz
Once everybody got past these items the flow of people was very smooth
If you are going to wield a sword, it should be a fancy one
The Bosporus separating the European and the Asian parts
A huge tower
Big bridge
Turban accessories
Ruby and emeralds
Decked out in chain mail
This dagger was a gift for the Sha of Persia from Mahmud I
Nothing says lethal dagger better than a basket of fruit
It was being delivered to the Shah when he was assassinated. So the team delivering it turned around and brought it back
No silver spoon here, it is all gold and jewels
Very nice for the baby
Great balls of fire
The stained glass windows were reflected in some of the displays
Still they let light in
Tiny dagger, set with rubies
So many ceremonial badges
These look like gifts
A very unique layout of this room
Not a window that you can knock out in a weekend
