ABSTRACT

TopkaptSarayt,theGreatPalaceoftheOsmanli Sultans,isthemostextensiveandfascinatingmonument ofOttomancivilarchitectureinexistence.Inadditionto itsarchitecturalandhistoricalinterest,itcontains,asa museum,superbandunrivaledcollectionsofporcelains,armor,fabrics,jewels,illuminatedmanuscripts,calligraphy, andmanyobjectsofartformerlybelongingtotheSultans. Acursoryvisitrequiresseveralhours;toknowitthoroughlymanyweekswouldhardlysuffice.