Built as a residence for sultans, Topkapi Palace was the political center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years and home to hundreds of wives, concubines, and servants. Today, it's easily worth several hours spent wandering through the courtyards and

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Built as a residence for sultans, Topkapi Palace was the political center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years and home to hundreds of wives, concubines, and servants. Today, it's easily worth several hours spent wandering through the courtyards and gardens together and marveling at the opulence and architectural splendor of the Ottoman period, from the 1460s to the early 1900s. Be sure to visit the treasury for a peek at the incredible riches on display, such as the bejeweled Topkapi Dagger, huge emeralds, the 86-carat Spoonmaker's Diamond, and a gold-plated throne.

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