Dome

Audience Hall or Arz Odasi (renovated 1723, reconstructed in 1856), the fountain, west elevation (this prevented eavesdropping); The Third Court of the Topkapi Palace was laid out by Mehmed II. Major additions during the reign of Ahmed III (1703-1730) include the lovely Neo-classical library in the Third Court. Inside the palace proper, the most important building to survive is the Arcade of the Conqueror's Kiosk (Fatih Kosku), built in a corner of the Third Court at the top of the promontory on a cliff overlooking the conjunction of the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara; the magnificent view from its covered porch and its great visibility from the water leave little doubt why the site was selected. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/28/2008)