The Topkapi Palace consists of a large assortment of beautiful, relatively small, buildings located around four spacious charming courtyards. 
The palace is located in the same area of ancient Istanbul (Byzantium) as the Hagia Sophia and the SultanAhmet,
on a headland with a sweeping view over the Bosporus and the Golden Horn. 
As a royal residence, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 people.