Topkapi Palace

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One of the most oustanding and popular places to visit in İstanbul is Topkapı Palace, the symbolic and political centre of the Ottoman Empire in between the 15th and 19th centuries. It stands on the tip of land where the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Istanbul strait come together, and is a maze of buildings centered around a series of courtyards, typical of Islamic tradition. Such is the complexity of each building, it will take many hours in order to be explored properly.

It was built in between 1466 and 1478, a couple of years before the death of Fatih. Unlike any European Palace, its architecture is predominantly Middle Eastern in character. The initial construction was Cinili Mansion, a Glass Palace finished in 1472, and the imposing main gate facing Sultanahmet, Bab-I Humayun, and the Palace ramparts, were completed in 1478.

There were originally 750 residents of the Palace, during Fatih’s period, which became drastically more congested reaching 5000 during normal days and 10,000 during festivals. Extensions had to be built, and the harem was completed in 1595 during the third Sultan Murad’s era, after which the harem residents were moved in from the palace at Beyazit, with a total of 474 concubines. Special tours of the Harem are available. The Harem, literally meaning “forbidden” in Arabic, was the suite of apartments in the palace belonging to the wives, concubines and children of the head of the household.

Around the Harem there were, Circumcision Room, the apartments of the Chief Black Eunuch, and apartments of the sultan – in total over 400 rooms. Other highlights in the Palace are the Spoonmaker’s Diamond (the fourth largest diamond in the world), the Topkapi Dagger, (a gift from Mahmut I), a vast collection of paintings and miniatures, and the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle (including a footprint, a tooth and a hair of the Prophet Mohammed).

Topkapı Palace Museum open days :

Topkapı Palace Museum is closed on Tuesdays. On other days, the museum is open between 9.00-17.00 hours.

2008 Religious and Official Holidays ;

January 1 New Year's Day, April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Festival, May 19 Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day, August 30 Victory Day, September 29(a half day) Romadan Festival, October 28 (a half-day) Republic Day, October 29 Republic Day, December 7 Feast of the Sacrific.

The museum is open to visitors after 1 o'clock on the first days of religious festivals.

How can I buy entrance tickets and what is their cost?

Topkapı Palace Entrance Tickets can only be obtained from the ticket windows located at the 1st Courtyard of Topkapı Palace Museum. A separate ticket is required for Harem (women’s quarters) visits.

The entrance fee for Topkapı Palace Museum is 10 (ten) YTL for domestic and foreign visitors.

The entrance fee for Harem is 10 (ten) YTL for domestic and foreign visitors.

Harem entrance tickets are sold at the ticket window in front of the Harem entrance.

Source


How can I reach Topkapı Palace Museum ?

You may come to Sultanahmet by Subway from Istanbul Atatürk Airport. You may reach to Sultanahmet with Taksim-Sultanahmet bus nr T 4 from Taksim or with Taksim-Beyazıt bus nr 61 B to Beyazıt, then you may take the tramway or you may walk to Sultanahmet.

You may come to Sirkeci from Anatolian side and you may take tramway to Sultanahmet.

While walking towards Bâb-ı Hümâyun where is the entrance of Topkapı Palace Museum after leaving tramway in Sultanahmet, Sultanahmet Mosque is seen on the right part. Passing Saint Sophia Museum, Bâb-ı Hümâyûn and the walls of the Palace greet you with all its grandeur on the continuing road.




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