Gold in Topkapi Palace Istanbul
Gold in Topkapi Palace Istanbul
Gold held a great symbolic value in the lives of the sultans during the Ottoman period. One can see the treasuries made of gold belonging to the Ottoman Sultans preserved in the Topkapi Palace. Gold was the first mineral discovered by man and gained immense importance to become a hot passion among people since times immemorial.
While looking at the ancient history of the Turkish people makes it quite clear that from Central Asia, the passion for gold continued to the Seljuks, Mamluks and the Ottomans till the present times. In the Topkapi Palace Museum, one can find golden chandeliers, cup holders, rosewater flacons, candle scissors, water pipes, dessert sets and candlesticks.
Apart from the above named articles, the museum also has items such as fans, snuff boxes, pill boxes and seal pouches which were commonly used either on ceremonies like weddings, coronations etc. or on day to day basis. Also on display is the jewelry belonging to the Ottoman period. Some of the jewelry is studded with diamonds, pearls, emeralds and jade.
By going through the Chronicles of the House of Osman by Asikpasazade (a source of the history of Ottoman dynasty), it becomes quite clear that the Ottomans used gold as gifts on important ceremonial occasions in their lives. According to a report from the Chronicle, ten trays of gold and silver were presented as gift at Murad I’s son’s circumcision.
During the 15th century, a number of gold and silver mines were captured after the conquest of the Balkans. Hence, there was a mass production of jewelry in Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Erzurum, Trabzon and Prizren. Further, the production of jewelry increased manifold after Sultan Mehmed (1451-1481) conquered Istanbul. According to Jacopo de Promontario, a chief merchant of Sultan Mehmed, there were a large number of candlesticks, pitchers, basins and bowls made of gold and silver.
Several items of luxury were in great use in the reign of Bayezid II and their use increased manifold after Selim’s I trips to Egypt and Iran. Some of the gold artifacts gifted to Shah Tahmasp of Persia by Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566) include carafe, tray and belts of gold.
Among the other gold items belonging to the 16th century include a jade cup and a gold tray presented by Mustafa II to the Voyvoda of Poznan in 1699 on the occasion of signing of the Treaty of Carlowitz.
The fact that there was a vast wealth of jewelry during the Ottoman Empire also makes it quite clear about enormous resources of the sultans during the period. Moreover, the sultans gave whole-hearted support to encourage the artists dealing in such work. There were a number of learned and skilled artists dealing in hammering gold and weaving embroidered cloth using gold.
During the later periods, we can find Indian and Mughal inspiration in the Ottoman jewelry pieces. The vast Ottoman Treasuries were the result of the gifts and the taxes collected from the provinces. Meanwhile, during the economic straits, a large number of gold objects were melted to make coins. However, the highly valued gold pieces of ancestral value were largely spared.
The Ottoman Treasury was protected by the Superintendent of the Treasury with a seal of Sultan Selim I till 1924 when the Topkapi Palace was converted to be used as a museum at the behest of Ataturk.
The Ambassador Hotel in Sultanahmet Istanbul
The Ambassador Hotel in Istanbul is located in the heart of the Sultanahmet square in the neighborhood of Hippodrome and Divanyolu. This charming hotel was built nearly 150 years ago and the last renovation work of this hotel was undertaken way back in 1998. Its quiet location makes it a perfect place for unwinding in a calm and comforting atmosphere. It is a distinctive hotel that draws its inspiration from the surrounding monuments in Istanbul and holds the distinction of winning awards for its offbeat services.
Ambassador Hotel in Sultanahmet Istanbul
The rich and colorful atmosphere of Sultanahmet has been very beautifully and aptly translated into the tastefully decorated interiors of the hotel. It is a best place for staying as one can catch breathtaking views of several famous monuments of Istanbul including the Bosphorus, the Blue Mosque,Hagia Sophia ( Aya Sofia), Topkapi Palace, the Princes Islands and a few others from the rooftop terrace of the hotel.
The ambience of the Ambassador Hotel is modern and inviting, typical of Istanbul’s character of hospitality. The hotel has been designed and equipped with all the modern facilities of the international standards to give a comforting and memorable experience to any business traveler.
It has been equipped with various facilities for complete rejuvenation of your mind and body. You can distress yourself by getting a message from any of the certified masseurs of the hotel. Enjoy the warmth and fulfilling experience of a sauna and a Turkish bath in the hotel. Also, you can keep your body slim and trim at the fitness center in the hotel which is open 24 hours.
This First Class Boutique Hotel has twenty rooms and two junior suites to provide complete luxury and comfort to all its visitors. All rooms are air-conditioned and fully furnished with facilities including satellite TV, mini bar, wireless internet connection, personal safe deposit, direct dial phone etc.
The lobby of the hotel is spacious and has a small but a nice bar that has seating arrangements for guests. Smoking is completely prohibited in keeping with the new no-smoking laws of the country. However, for smokers, there are some smoking floors and the terrace where they can puff away.
The Ambassador Hotel has a friendly and very helpful hotel staff that will offers warm welcome and best hospitality to make your trip worth remembering. The dining room and terrace of the hotel provides panorama view of the cities most famous monuments. The impeccable service from the multilingual staff and the tasty delights by Executive Chef are an offbeat experience. Also, you can enjoy an after-dinner drink at the Terrace Bar Pub of the restaurant.
The Ambassador Hotel is usually fully booked most of the time. So, if you want to book a room for yourself, you must make arrangements for advance booking to avoid disappointment. The hotel provides facility of making reservations online.
The Ambassador Hotel is not just any other hotel; it is an experience not to be missed if you want to make your visit to Turkey a memorable one.
Turkey- Where the Old Blends with the New
Turkey is a city where the old and the new blend together harmoniously to make it one of the most fascinating place in the world. It can be easily said that Turkey, which is located between Europe and Asia, celebrates the amalgamation of not just these two continents but also both the eras, that is the old and the new.
Blue Mosque and Obelisk in Sultanahmet Istanbul Old City
While the history and the origin of this ancient city dates back to nearly 4000 years ago, its freshness and beauty is not only still retained but is unmatched. The city was once the capital of the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire and saw many wars. But, it does not have any wounds of any wars.
The Bosphorus divides the European and the Asian part of Istanbul. Taking a voyage, you will discover the beauty of the Dolmabahce and the Topkapi palaces, and the Bosphorus bridge as well as the Golden Horn bridge adorning the European side of Istanbul. On the Asian side lies the ancient Anadoluhisari fort. The road facing the ocean is a hot summer spot where you can enjoy your favorite food at any of the eating places situated there.
The Sultanahmet area in Istanbul happens to be the most happening place which is always bustling with activity. The best thing about this area is that it is centrally located and one can just walk to any of the nearby historical sites and monuments easily. A number of shops welcome you as you walk by, selling just about everything from carpets to even the tickets of the Sufi shows.
The first tourist stop visited by us was the Blue Mosque or the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Its interior walls are made of blue tiles and hence its name, the Blue Mosque. Built in 1600s, this national mosque of Turkey has won itself a coveted position of being the most famous tourist spot.
The next stoppage was the renowned monument of the Ottoman era known as Hagia Sofia. It was a basilica in the Byzantine period but was later converted into a mosque in the Ottoman period.
Just located at a short distance is the most ancient monument belonging to the 15th century BC. It happens to be the Hippodrome Obelisk. The structure that we see today was re-erected following its destruction by the Byzantine Emperor belonging to Egypt.
Next famous tourist spot is the Grand Bazaar, one of the biggest and most ancient covered bazaars in the world. This 450-year-old market has nearly 1,200 shops and about 58 covered streets selling everything under the sun.
You cannot resist the charm of Topkapi palace which is live example of the colorful and rich past of the Ottoman Empire. From the thrones and daggers studded with jewels to some exotic pieces of antique jewelry, everything is a reminiscent of the rich history of Istanbul.
If you want to explore more, you can take a tour to Troy, the ancient spot of the Trojan War. This place is almost a two-hour drive from the city of Istanbul. You can see a horse made of wood which reminds of the war that took place here. Another famous place worth visiting is the Ottoman capital of Bursa. It is nearly a four-hour drive and is a famous tourist spot. You must eat Iskender kebab, a famous cuisine of Bursa.
The fact is that Turkey has so much for any tourist that even a week’s time might prove insufficient to explore various famous places. There are the beautiful beaches of Turkey, the city of Ephesus known for being the town of Virgin Mary.
Turkey is a living example of a country where the old is not conquered by the new but presents a beautiful intermingling of both. You can catch a flight from Europe for Istanbul. There are a number of affordable and established hotels for staying. You can enjoy shopping as well as sight-seeing in this beautiful city.