Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Second Court
The Middle Gate (Ortakapı or Bab-üs Selâm) led to the palace's Second Court, used for
the business of running the empire. Only the sultan and the valide sultan (mother of the
sultan) were allowed through the Middle Gate on horseback. Everyone else, including the
grand vizier, had to dismount. To the right after you enter are imperial carriages made in
Paris, Turin and Vienna for the sultan and his family.
Like the First Court, the Second Court has an attractive parklike setting. Unlike typical
European palaces, which feature one large building with outlying gardens, Topkapı is a
series of pavilions, kitchens, barracks, audience chambers, kiosks and sleeping quarters
built around a central enclosure.
The great Palace Kitchens on your right currently hold a small portion of Topkapı's
vast collection of Chinese celadon porcelain, valued by the sultans for its beauty but also
because it was reputed to change colour if touched by poisoned food.
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