Views of Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
Topkapi Palace - the main palace complex of the Ottoman Empire, located in the historic Sultanahmet district on the Sarayburnu headland, between the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. It was built by order of Sultan Mehmed II between 1459 and 1478 soon after the conquest of Constantinople and served for almost four centuries as the sultans' residence and the administrative center of the empire. In the 19th century the court moved to Dolmabahce, and Topkapi became a museum. The complex is part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The layout of Topkapi is organized around four successive courtyards separated by ceremonial gates. The First Court, entered through the Imperial Gate, includes the Church of St. Irene and green spaces with fountains; the Istanbul Archaeology Museum is nearby. In the Second Court, through the Gate of Greetings, are the palace kitchens with their distinctive chimneys, the Council Hall (Divan) and the Tower of Justice. The Third Court, beyond the Gate of Felicity, leads to the Audience Hall, the Library of Ahmed III, the Imperial Treasury and the halls with sacred Islamic relics. The Fourth Court contains terraces and pavilions with panoramic views of the strait and bays.
After the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1924, Topkapi was opened as a museum. Collections formed over 470 years include jeweled and ceremonial items from the Imperial Treasury, arms and armor, ceramics and porcelain, manuscripts and miniatures, as well as diplomatic gifts.
When planning your visit, note that the harem is accessed with a separate ticket and may have different entry times. Opening hours vary by season, and the museum is usually closed on Tuesdays. Individual halls are periodically closed for restoration, and photography is restricted in the Treasury and the halls with sacred relics. Audio guides are available in several languages.
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Topkapi Palace - the main palace complex of the Ottoman Empire, located in the historic Sultanahmet district on the Sarayburnu headland, between the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. It was built by order of Sultan Mehmed II between 1459 and 1478 soon after the conquest of Constantinople and served for almost four centuries as the sultans' residence and the administrative center of the empire. In the 19th century the court moved to Dolmabahce, and Topkapi became a museum. The complex is part of the Historic Areas of Istanbul on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The layout of Topkapi is organized around four successive courtyards separated by ceremonial gates. The First Court, entered through the Imperial Gate, includes the Church of St. Irene and green spaces with fountains; the Istanbul Archaeology Museum is nearby. In the Second Court, through the Gate of Greetings, are the palace kitchens with their distinctive chimneys, the Council Hall (Divan) and the Tower of Justice. The Third Court, beyond the Gate of Felicity, leads to the Audience Hall, the Library of Ahmed III, the Imperial Treasury and the halls with sacred Islamic relics. The Fourth Court contains terraces and pavilions with panoramic views of the strait and bays.
After the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1924, Topkapi was opened as a museum. Collections formed over 470 years include jeweled and ceremonial items from the Imperial Treasury, arms and armor, ceramics and porcelain, manuscripts and miniatures, as well as diplomatic gifts.
When planning your visit, note that the harem is accessed with a separate ticket and may have different entry times. Opening hours vary by season, and the museum is usually closed on Tuesdays. Individual halls are periodically closed for restoration, and photography is restricted in the Treasury and the halls with sacred relics. Audio guides are available in several languages.
Start early - the harem is sold separately.
Suggested route: from the Imperial Gate to the sultan's terraces
Start your visit early to avoid queues for the Treasury and the halls with sacred relics in the Third Court. Allow at least 2-3 hours for the main route, and about 3-4 hours if you include the harem. The harem entrance is on the side of the Second Court and tickets for it are sold separately. Note the cobblestones and stairs around the site, and narrow passages inside the harem.
The main exhibits are in the Imperial Treasury: the famous Topkapi Dagger, the Spoonmaker's Diamond weighing 86 carats, and gem-encrusted thrones and bowls. The halls with sacred relics display venerated Islamic relics, including the Prophet's mantle and the swords of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. The palace kitchens show a large collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and in the Library of Ahmed III you can see masterpieces of Ottoman calligraphy and miniatures.
In the Fourth Court, visit the Baghdad Kiosk and the Revan Kiosk with their tile decorations, then climb to the terraces and the Mecidiye Pavilion for views of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Nearby are Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, Gulhane Park and the Basilica Cistern.
Reach Topkapi easily by T1 tram to the Sultanahmet or Gulhane stops, then a 5-10 minute walk to the Imperial Gate; the Marmaray Sirkeci station is also nearby. Ticket offices and security checks are located at the entrance to the First Court.
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