The Topkapı Palace, with its opulent courts and lush gardens, encapsulates the zenith of the Ottoman Empire's wealth and power. Constructed upon the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1459, it served as the heart of the empire for nearly four centuries. This architectural marvel, now a museum, offers a glimpse into the lives of the sultans with its rich collection of manuscripts, imperial treasures, and intriguing relics of the court, including the famous Harem where the Sultan's family resided.