The city, now called Istanbul, was once known as Constantinople, the capital of the mighty Eastern Roman Empire, frequently referred to as Byzantium. The emperors and their courts that resided in the city required suitable accommodation, of the magnificent proportions reflecting their power and majesty. Sadly, almost nothing has been preserved of the Great Palace of Constantinople, the main royal residence from 330 to 1081 that served as the centre of imperial administration. The most of the remains of this palace currently lie below the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and other Ottoman-era buildings, to the south-east to the former Hippodrome, now the Sultanahmet Square. However, one part of the palatial complex is still visible above the ground, facing the waters of the Sea of Marmara. This building, known as the Bukoleon Palace, is located to the south of the Great Palace, and to the east of the Church of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus. Now partly demolished, it once served as the prestigious seafront residence of the emperors.

Ekmekçizade Ahmet Paşa Caravanserai is one of the most precious historical and cultural assets of Edirne. It is also known as the Ayşe Kadın or Eşe Kadın Hanı because it was erected in a place where an older inn had stood. That predecessor of Ekmekçizade Caravanserai was built on the orders of Ayşe Kadın, the daughter of Sultan Mehmed I. She also had a mosque constructed nearby that is known as Ayşe Kadın Mosque. The neighbourhood where the mosque and the caravanserai were erected is still called Ayşekadın.