There was a time during my university years when I spent quite a bit of time at the Ibrahim Pasha Palace. It was my favorite place in Sultanahmet. I even got my friends used to it, we would often meet there. In spring, the courtyard and garden were incredibly beautiful. In winter, sitting inside and watching the snow fall into the courtyard, it was history, coffee, tea, and long conversations. Once or twice a year, we would also visit the exhibitions, both the permanent collection and any new ones that arrived. Today, the palace is home to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, it was the same back then. The entrance courtyard was used as a café, and from spring until mid June, during the academic season, we would sit in the garden for hours, drinking coffee, studying, or simply spending time. There was a slightly elevated garden, with trees, flowers, and a peaceful view over Sultanahmet Square. You could watch the constant flow of visitors, tourists, and life, all within a deeply ...