Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is a historic building complex that was once the main residence and headquarters of the Ottoman sultans but now functions as a historical site and museum. You can embark on a tour of the palace and explore a fair portion of its hundreds of rooms and chambers, including the Ottoman Imperial Harem and various courtyards. The entire complex is quite vast and made using a combination of Ottoman and Baroque architectural styles.
Anyone can enjoy a visit to Topkapi Palace with its legendary influence that stretches back centuries. Kids and adults alike can find fun here, though it will especially appeal to travellers who are interested in history and architecture. To see everything this destination has to offer, it'll take about 3 or 4 hours, but it can last even longer if you're looking to explore every inch of this vast complex that's open to visitors.
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What are the highlights of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul?
When you visit Topkapi Palace, you won't want to miss out on the museum section, where you'll find a wide variety of historic artefacts on display. The treasury is now home to items like the Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger. The former is the 4th-largest diamond of its kind in the entire world and boasts 86 carats of splendour. The dagger, on the other hand, is an emerald-studded, curved weapon showcasing mid-18th century noble weaponry.
While you'll find plenty to see in the courtyards of Topkapi Palace, the outer gardens are quite picturesque as well and include vibrant greenery and modest pavilions. The trees are odd yet fascinating, as many have fallen victim to a fungal infection that has hollowed out their trunks. In some instances, you'll find 2 different kinds of trees that have grown and fused together.
A brief history of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
Topkapi Palace played an important role in history, as its construction was ordered by Mehmed II in 1459 when the city was still mostly known as Constantinople. The basic inner core of the palace was likely completed around the late 1460s, with more sections being added in the following decades by subsequent sultans. Suleiman I significantly expanded the palace from the early- to mid-16th century.
By the end of the 16th century, Topkapi Palace had developed into much of what it looks like today. Instead of being a central palace, it's a massive complex with several courtyards and detached lower buildings, with few outside of the central structure going higher than 2 storeys. Keep in mind that there was once a fifth courtyard as a part of the complex, but that was largely done away with when the shoreline railroad was set through the area in the 19th century.
What else is good to know about Topkapi Palace in Istanbul?
Before you make your way to Topkapi Palace, you'll want to keep a few factors in mind. Photography inside the palace is prohibited, and you can't enter with a pushchair. Additionally, you'll need to be wearing appropriate dress if you want to see the Holy Relics Division of the museum.
Visiting Topkapi Palace will put you close to several other notable attractions in Istanbul as well, and you won't want to miss out on them. The Istanbul Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam is just a short distance to the north-west, while iconic religious structures like the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sofia are both located to the south-west. Across the water to the north, you'll find Galata Tower, which is visible from many parts of the palace.
Topkapi Palace in Istanbul
Location: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +90 212 512 0480
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