About Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace is the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, the administrative and educational center of the state. Istanbul conqueror Sultan II. The Ottoman sultans and the people of the Palace lived in the palace, which was built by Mehmed between 1460-1478 and some additions were made over time, until the middle of the 19th century. After the Ottoman monarchy was abolished in 1922, Topkapı Palace was converted into a museum on April 3, 1924, by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Topkapi Palace
After the conquest, Mehmed the Conqueror had a palace built in Beyazıt, where today’s Istanbul University is located, which would later be known as the “Old Palace”. After this first palace, Fatih had the Tiled Kiosk built, and then the Topkapi Palace, where he would settle when its construction was completed. Fatih gave this palace the name “Saray-ı Cedid”, which means “New Palace” in Ottoman Turkish. The name of the New Palace as Topkapı Palace is as follows: When the large wooden coastal palace, which was built by Sultan Mahmud I near the Byzantine walls and called “Topkapusu Beach Palace” because of the salute balls in front of it, was completely destroyed in a fire, the name of this palace was given to the new palace.
Topkapi Palace – Istanbul
Topkapi Palace Architecture
The Ottoman state philosophy and the relations between the Palace and the subjects played a major role in determining the plan of the Topkapı Palace, which developed and grew for centuries. Also, in the period when Topkapı was first built, Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s father, Sultan II. It is known that the Edirne Palace, which was built by Murad on the edge of the Tunca River and whose ruins have survived to the present day, was inspired by its grandeur as well as its plan.
Topkapi Palace is a modest palace; The great expenditures of the empire were mostly made for magnificent mosques, barracks, bridges, caravanserais and accommodation facilities. Even Mimar Sinan, the famous architect of the 16th century, built only one section in this palace. But its location in Sarayburnu gives it a natural beauty and splendor as well as the unique buildings, exquisite tiles and nature of the palace.
Topkapi Palace – Istanbul
Topkapi Palace Sections
The plan of Topkapi Palace; It consists of apartments devoted to state affairs among various courtyards and gardens, buildings and mansions that were the residence of the ruler, and buildings reserved for officials living in the palace. Built on the Byzantine acropolis at Sarayburnu, located at the tip of the Istanbul peninsula, between the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the Palace is surrounded by high enclosing walls called the “Sur-ı Sultani”, which is 1400 meters long, and by the sea, it is surrounded by Byzantine walls. The area covered by the palace is approximately 700 thousand square meters.
Alay Square, Hagia Eirene, Bab-ü’s Selam, Bâb-ı Hümâyun, Divan Square, Kubbealtı (Divan-ı Hümayun), Justice Pavilion, Foreign Treasury, Zülüflü Baltacılar Quarry, Has Stables, Beşir Ağa Mosque and Bath, Palace Kitchens, Babüssaade , Sukhum Castle Inscription, Enderun Courtyard, Supply Room, III. Ahmed Library (Enderun Library), Fatih Mansion (Enderun Treasure), Treasure Ward, Private Room and Sacred Relics Department, Ağalar Mosque, Cellar Ward, Kushane and Harem Gate, Privy Room Ward / Portraits of Sultans, Fourth Courtyard, Circumcision Room, Revan Mansion , Baghdad Pavilion, Iftar Lodge (Mehtaplik), Sofa Pavilion, Sofa Mosque, Mecidiye Pavilion, Hekimbaşı Room / Baş Lala Tower, Dress Room, Harem, Wardrobe Dome / Harem Treasure / Haremeyn Treasure, Şadırvanlı Sofa, Kara Ağalar Masjid, Kara Ağalar and Kara Ağalar Stone House, Sentence Gate, Valide Stone, Women’s Master Apartments, Valide Sultan’s Office, Hünkar and Valide Sultan Baths, Sultan’s Sofa, III. Murad Private Room, Ahmed I Private Room, Fruit Room / III. Ahmed Has Room, Double Pavilions / Crown Prince’s Office, Altınyol, Concubines and Women’s Masters Stone, Favorites Apartment and Mabeyn Stone, Arabalar Gate / Girls’ Gate, Sentry Place and Concubines Corridor are among the sections of this magnificent structure.
Topkapi Palace – Istanbul
What are the Collections in the Topkapı Palace Museum?
The extraordinarily rich collections of Topkapi Palace and its history woven with extremely interesting stories make this palace one of the most worth-seeing palaces in the world. Imperial Treasury, European Porcelains and Glasses, Copper and Tombak Kitchenware, Chinese and Japanese Porcelains, Silvers, Cardigan-i Felicity and Sacred Relics, Istanbul Glass and Porcelain, Sultan Dresses, Sultan portraits and painting collection, Weapons are among the valuable collections exhibited in the museum. .
Source: Topkapi Palace Museum website