Topkapı Palace and Harem are where the Ottoman empire's libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries.

The Privy Chamber of Murat III is one of the most sumptuous rooms in the palace. Dating from 1578, virtually all of its decoration is original. The restored three-tiered marble fountain was designed to give the sound of cascading water and to make it difficult to eavesdrop on the sultan's conversations. The gilded canopied seating areas are later 18th-century additions.

As popular belief would have it, the Harem was a place where the sultan could engage in debauchery at will. In more prosaic reality, these were the imperial family quarters, and every detail of Harem life was governed by tradition, obligation and ceremony. The word 'harem' literally means 'forbidden' or 'private'.

Located on the eastern edge of the Third Court, Topkapı's Treasury section features an incredible collection of objects made from or decorated with gold, silver, rubies, emeralds, jade, pearls and diamonds.

The Holy Relics section has religious relics sent to the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th century to the late 19th century. On display are Abraham's Pot, Joseph's Turban, Staff of Moses, David's Sword, scrolls belonging to John the Baptist, and Muhammad's footprint.