Top Kap sarai from Turkish - "Palace of Top Gates", named after a nearby gate, was the main palace, the seat of administration of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853. It is located between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara and has a magnificent view of the Bosphorus. The famous Hagia Sophia museum is nearby. The palace is full of examples of Ottoman architecture and has a large collection of porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armour, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and wall decorations. Today, Top Kap serves as a museum for the Sultanate era and is one of the biggest attractions in Istanbul.
