Istanbul is full of treasures, some very old, some quite new, but each one tells a part of the history of this great city. One of those wonders is the Topkapi Palace, which was the center of the Ottoman imperial power. Today, it is still awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring, as well as being a major tourist attraction.
The history of the Topkapi Palace began in 1465, after the capture of the city of Constantinople by the Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed II. The new ruler had an empire that stretched from Asia to Europe, and he wanted to create an administrative center that would allow him to control all his domains.
To this end, the construction of Topkapi Palace began in 1459, was completed in 1465, and since then it served as a royal palace for the Ottoman emperors.
In terms of design, Topkapi has a traditional Turkish style. Its towers are linked by four courtyards, which delimit the different points of the palace. Likewise, it is located near the coast, with the amazing view of the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus being one of the main attractions of the Topkapi Palace.
Topkapi was in operation until 1853, when the imperial residence moved its headquarters to the Dolmabahçe Palace.
Today, Topkapi is a museum, showing what life was like for the Ottoman kings during the glory of the empire. Furthermore, it has become a very important tourist site for all of Turkey.
The most fascinating thing about Topkapi Palace are its incredible gardens, baths and pools, the Harem building and the Sultan’s room.
The courtyards of the Topkapi Palace served as a division, the first garden is right in front of the Imperial Gate, which is the main entrance of the palace. After the first garden, there is the courtyard of ceremonies, then that of the Mosque of the White Aghas and finally, we find the courtyard of the Sofa Mosque.
In these courtyards there are also other important buildings, such as the Library of Mehmed II, the Royal Stables, the Collection of Arms, the Medical Pavilion, the Kitchens and the Imperial Treasury.
In addition to the gardens, the most visited place in Topkapi is the Harem residence, where the Queen Mother and the emperor’s concubines lived. Currently, all areas of the palace are usually open to the public.
Topkapi is not only popular with foreign visitors, but there are also many Turkish citizens who regularly visit the place. School excursions or guided tours are not a rarity inside the palace.
For this reason, the influx of people is usually huge, and lines of up to three hours are made to buy the ticket. In the same way, there are two types of entrances, one that gives access to the courtyards and main rooms, while the other allows the visit to the harem building.
If you want to know Istanbul, and do not want to miss the opportunity to visit the Topkapi Palace, our best advice is to arrive early, buy your ticket and spend a day learning about the secrets of the legendary imperial residence.
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