Topkapi . Palace

Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul's top tourist attractions, a historical testament, the center of the Ottoman Empire, and the official residence of the kings and their concubines in the harem for more than a decade. three centuries, until Sultan Abdülmecid decided to move the court to Dolmabahçe Palace in 1853.

Topkapi Palace is located on Cape Seraglio, a promontory overlooking the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus and thus has a strategic natural location. The palace is located directly behind the Hagia Sophia, built on the same site where the ancient Greek city of Byzantium was located. Some of its ruins can still be seen inside the palace.

Initial construction and layout

The Muslim leader Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Sultan Mehmet) ordered the construction of the palace in 1459, shortly after he conquered Constantinople in 1453. Mehmet the Conqueror established the basic layout of the palace and convened experienced artisans and used the rarest materials of the time to try to restore the city's former glory.

Topkapi Palace Not a single building, it consists of a series of pavilions surrounded by four large courtyards. It is a stone version of the huts from which the nomadic Ottomans emerged. In contrast to other royal residences with strict master plans, Topkapi Palace has evolved over the course of the centuries, with various kings adding and changing different parts.

Renovations were also carried out after the earthquake of 1509 and the fire of 1665. The final version of the palace covered an area of 700,000 m² and housed 4,000 people.

In addition to serving as the official residence of the Ottoman sultans from Mehmet the Conqueror until the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (Sultan Abdulmajid) in 1853, for 400 years, Topkapi Palace served as the administrative center, education and culture of the Ottoman Empire. Initially, the palace served as the seat of government and the residence of the royal family. It had a school, where civil servants and soldiers were trained including dormitories, gardens, libraries and even mosques. Access is strictly regulated and the palace's residents rarely have to go out as the palace operates as an autonomous entity, a city within a city.

In 1853, Sultan Abdülmecid abandoned Topkapi Palace in favor of Dolmahbahçe Palace. Since that time, monarchs no longer reside in Topkapi Palace. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, by order of Ataturk, the palace began operating as a museum on April 3, 1924, covering an area of 100,000 m², 200,000 assets. archives, 86,000 ancient artifacts and 20 exhibition halls.

Visiting the palace visitors need at least half a day to explore and admire the architectural masterpieces here.

The entrance to the palace is through the Royal Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun), built by Sultan Fatih in 1478. This massive gate is constructed of 19th-century marble and decorated with verses from the Sutras. Koran and with niches used to hide the heads of rebels and executed criminals.

The gate leading to the first of the four buildings becomes even more private as you penetrate deeper into the complex. The First Courtyard, also known as the Court of the Janissaries or the Court of Parade, acts as an outside area or park.

To the left is the church of Haghia Irene (Aya İrini Kilisesi), the only church in the pre-Ottoman city that was never converted into a mosque. Furthermore, the First Courtyard houses the former Royal Mint (Darphane-i Amire), the magnificent Istanbul Archaeological Museum (Arkeologi Müzeleri) and various pavilions and fountains, such as the Fountain of the Executioner, next to the ticket window. Here the executioner washed his hands and sword after each execution.

Janissaries (infantry units that formed the guard and bodyguards of the Ottoman sultans) and merchants could circulate freely in the Court of the Janissaries, but the Second Courtyard was restricted. This restriction still exists today and visitors must purchase tickets to enter the palace and its three other courtyards.

Tickets to the palace can be purchased online or in person prior to entering the museum. Admission to the museum is also included in the city pass Istanbul (with a guide). To enter Harem and Hagia Irene Church, you must purchase a separate ticket (cannot be purchased online).

There is no guide in the museum, but you can rent an audio guide in 14 different languages (no Vietnamese). Photography is not allowed in the gallery and baby strollers are not allowed inside the museum.

Fare

Buy at the ticket counter (not including Harem): 100 lira/pax

Harem and Halberdiers Ticket with Tresses Dormitory: 70 lira/pax

Hagia Irene Museum Ticket (First Courtyard of Topkapi Palace): 60 lira/pax

Tour price with regular attractions with a guide: 21 EUR/pax

Business hours

Open daily except Tuesday.

From April 1st to October 1st: 09:00-18:45

From October 1st to April 1st: 10:00-16:00

Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)
Bab-ı Hümayün Caddesi, Sultanahmet – Istanbul
(behind the Hagia Sophia).
Tel: +90 212 512 04 80
Opening Hours – Entrance Fees
https://millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/palaces/topkapi-palace