Topkapi Palace and Museum

Geographical Location

Topkapi Palace is the largest and most significant example of Turkish secular architecture. Covering an area of approximately 700,000 square meters, it is almost as large as half of the Kingdom of Monaco. Over the centuries, it has become a masterpiece of architectural styles, blending various tastes and influences. The palace is a complex that includes courtyards, pavilions, and mosques, functioning as a self-contained city within Istanbul. Its walls, fortified with bastions, shooting breaches, and gates, give the entire complex the appearance of an ancient fortress.

By the way, if you want to visit Turkey or book a Turkey tour package, our Istanbul guided tours can be included in all tour packages. And Topkapi Palace are usually included in these Istanbul tours.

The name “Topkapi” translates to “Cannon Gate,” and it is situated on a landmass that juts out into the Sea of Marmara on one side and the Golden Horn on the other. The palace is enclosed by a 2-kilometer-long Byzantine wall on the seaward side, and a 1.4-kilometer-long wall on the landward side, built by the Ottomans, which separates the palace from the outer city.

Located at “Sarayburnu” (Seraglio Point), Topkapi Palace is a prominent landmark visible from both the European and Asian sides of the Sea of Marmara. Its strategic position made it an ideal location for Sultan Mehmet II to choose as his residence following the conquest of Istanbul.

History

The first palace, which has since disappeared, was built by the Ottomans after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. It was located in what is now the Beyazıt area, where Istanbul University stands today. The current Topkapi Palace was constructed in 1467, and Sultan Mehmet II moved into it immediately. Initially, the palace was used primarily for official receptions and state affairs, while the harem remained in the old palace. However, by the late 16th century, the harem was moved to the new palace. Topkapi remained the official residence of the sultans until Sultan Abdülmecit I moved to the new palace of Dolmabahce on the Bosphorus.

Visiting the Topkapi Palace Museum

At its peak during the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace housed approximately 4,000 people. Today, the palace is a museum, comprising the main palace, four large courtyards, and the harem section.

In this guide, we will explore the entire palace complex and its transformation into a museum.

The tour is organized as follows:

The First Court
The Second Court
The Third Court
The Fourth Court
The Harem
The Surroundings of Topkapi Palace
Imperial Gate (Bab-i Hümayun)

The palace complex begins with the grand “Bab-i Humayun,” or Imperial Gate, which stands behind Hagia Sophia and near the Sultan Ahmet III Fountain. Built in 1478 during Sultan Mehmet II’s reign, it was later reconstructed by Sultan Mahmud II and Sultan Abdulaziz. Historically, this gate was only open from the “Sabah Ezanı” (first call to prayer) in the morning to the “Yatsız Ezanı” (last call to prayer) at night. Only viziers and foreign ministers were allowed to pass through this gate on horseback.

The First Court

This area lies between the Imperial Gate and the Gate of Salutation (“Bab-us Selam”). Today, it serves as a parking lot for tour buses.

One of the most significant structures in this court is the Church of St. Irene, one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries in the world. Now a museum, it hosts art exhibitions and concerts. Near the church, you will find the Darphane, which was once a mint. This area also housed a depot for storing wood and coal used for the palace’s kitchens and heating.

Gate of Salutation (Bab-us Selam)

The Gate of Salutation marks the entrance to the Second Court. Flanked by large octagonal towers, it dates back to the reign of Sultan Mehmet II (1452), though it was expanded by Sultan Suleiman I in the 16th century. Only high-ranking officials such as grand viziers and foreign ministers were allowed to pass through this gate on horseback; others had to dismount. The gate is decorated with religious inscriptions and the sultan’s monograms (Tugra).

The Second Court

The Second Court was where significant events of the Ottoman Empire took place, such as the accession of sultans and religious festivals. It was also where janissaries received their salaries every three months, and sweets were distributed twice a year.

Excavations in this court uncovered Byzantine-era water drains, massive capitals, and sarcophagi, as well as a Byzantine cistern from Emperor Justinian’s reign (4th century).

From the Gate of Salutation, six paths lead to different sections of the court:

The path leading to the sultan’s stables and the display of royal coaches.
The path leading to the Harem.
The path leading to the Kubbealtı (meeting hall of the Privy Council).
The path leading to the Gate of Felicity (Bab-us Saadet), which leads to the Third Court.
The path leading to the palace kitchens, where displays of porcelain and glassware are found.
At the end of the first path is the Meyyit Kapısı (Gate of the Dead), through which the bodies of the deceased were carried out. Continuing along this path leads to the palace stables.

Sultan’s Stables (Has Ahırlar)

Built during the reign of Sultan Mehmet II, this area is divided into two sections: the actual stables, which housed around 30 horses selected for the sultan, and the rooms of the Imrahor (Grand Stable Master), which display valuable harnesses and beautiful 18th-century ceiling paintings.

Kubbealtı (Meeting Hall of the Privy Council)

This hall was used for weekly meetings of the Divan, the imperial council, where the sultan and high-ranking officials gathered. The council hall features a window with a grill through which the sultan could secretly listen in on the proceedings. The room is decorated with Iznik tiles, and the public records office next to it kept all the documents related to the council’s sessions.

The Palace Kitchens

Topkapi Palace contains three kitchens:

The Grand Court Kitchens, where meals were prepared for about 4,000 people.
The Helvahane, where various desserts were made.
The Kushane, which served meals for the sultan and his family.
These kitchens, rebuilt in 1574 by architect Sinan after a fire, were staffed by around 800 cooks, and the number increased to 1,000 during feasts. The kitchens are now home to an extensive collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, one of the largest in the world.

The Third Courtyard (Enderun)

The Third Court, known as Enderun (meaning “inside”), was where the sultan’s everyday life took place, away from the harem. This section housed the Aghas, elite servants trained in palace duties, fine arts, music, and calligraphy. The most prestigious among them were the Has Odalı Aghas, responsible for guarding the sacred relics of the Prophet Muhammad and serving the sultan. Their tasks included maintaining the cleanliness of the palace and offering direct service to the sultan.

Topkapi Palace is a place of immense cultural and historical value. Its complex architecture, royal lifestyle, and rich history come together to offer visitors an unforgettable experience.