Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Topkapi Madness

After working on the Topkapi Wiki, all I can say is WOW! It sounds like quite a place to visit. It really is a fitting symbol of the high point of the Ottoman civilization. I would certainly like to visit the palace at some point in my life. I would be particularly interested to see the Harem as well as the Divan. It seems that the Harem is a real "must see", but I would be interested to see the Divan and the history that comes along with that room. I would guess some of the more critical talks between the sultan and his advisers went on there. The Topkapi tour guide book by Claire Karaz provides a solid overview of the palace. I'm not sure if the Tower of Justice is open to the public (Dr. Metcalf, do you know?), but if it is, I would have to see the view from up there. I would feel like a sultan being able to look out onto the great city of Istanbul. The things we discuss in class just further my desire to visit Turkey. I see Turkey high on my list of places to visit.
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3 comments:

  1. MurraykApril 3, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    EZRA you freakin rule man

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  2. Ezra ZoharApril 6, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    I like your insight, Mur. You're obviously very well-versed in the history of the great Ottoman palace.

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  3. JamieMay 2, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    Totally agree! I would love to go to Turkey, and I plan to one day. For me, the decorations used in the design of the palace is not really my style and I find it actually kind of overwhelming. However, I do appreciate the massive attention to detail that was put into every inch of the place! The tile work (while again- NOT my taste) is mind-blowing! I sometimes wonder how it can possibly have ever been done, and isn't still being worked on to this day. I mean, it takes me so much time just to write a paper, and yet this massive detailed structure actually exists. Ha!

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