..or better known as Topkapi Palace, was built by Sultan Mehmet the Second between 1459-1465 as his principal residence. Conceived as a series of pavilions, contained by four enormous courtyards - harking back to the tented encampments from which the nomadic Ottomans had originally emerged - the palace initially served as the seat of government and training institute for civil servants and soldiers; it was abandoned by later sultans in 1853 in favour of Dolmabahce Palace, and in 1924, was opened to the public as a museum...