The Library of Ahmed III is a mix of Ottoman and Viennese architecture. The tile work in the Library is exquisite and it is very open and airy. There are book shelves all around and a copy of the Piri Rei's map circa 1513. It has very detailed South American coast and some say it shows an ice free Antarctic coastline too. Not being cartographers ourselves, we can not vouch for this. We can vouch for how very special this library was. We thought it was the prettiest place yet. After that we headed through the royal kitchens where they have 21,000 different items. Pots, pans, delicate glass ware, big jugs for tea and so much more!
The entrance to the library
A big book needs a big book stand
A second story just for windows
Elegant and functional
The Ottoman explorer drew this map that shows Cuba, Jamacia, much of the coast of South America. It tails off as it gets further south which some claim this is knowledge of Antarctica
Windows all around the top
A eunuch restocking the library shelves
So much detail
Love the blue
Paneled doors
Simple but still beautiful. I would love to see how these were made
The raised ceiling must have helped keep it cool
Marble and tile and gold!
Chimneys of the Kitchens
A very big trunk
All along the Kitchen area
We used to have a tagine just like this
Nice hat!
Big pan
Even bigger pan
Now we are getting fancy
Yes I would love some tea
Carman Miranda Jug
What more is there?
A spherical tea pot
Silver
Ceramic
Great roof top domes
This solver looks like it is a woven basket
When there are so many crumbs, an industrial sized crumb sweeper is required
Gigantic column top
Another fountain for cleansing before prayers
Even under the eves it is decorated
The Harem building
the Alexandrine Parakeet
New Lifebird
Back out of the gates
The fountain has script in the old Ottoman alphabet
It has been 1 year and 180 days since we began our Migration
