Topkapi Palace — A Treasure Trove of Wealth
Istanbul is not a place that can be grasped in a single day. But Topkapi Palace Views are the ideal route to soak in the Ottoman lavishness of old Istanbul. The Palace (a museum since 1924) is situated near Hagia Sophia and reminds people of those glory days. Topkapi palace had the honor of hosting over 22 sultans and their families. It is, indeed, a signifier of Turkish historical grandeur. For nearly 400 years, this was the Ottoman Empire’s figurative and diplomatic center. The castle, which once housed the Emperor and his Harem, is now a magnificent museum. The Palace, which consists of several structures, endearing courtyards, and magnificent lawns, is now open to the general public.
The Renewal of Topkapi Palace – The Palace of Felicity
· The Restoration:
The Grand Palace of the Ottoman empire was mainly in wreck following Sultan Mehmed II’s conquering of Constantinople in 1453. In 1459, Mehmed II commanded the construction of Topkapi Palace to begin. He summoned the best artisans and directed them to sketch the Palace’s layout. Sultan Mehmed II was known to build significant buildings mixing western and eastern architectural styles. It was completed in the year 1478.
Topkapi Palace, the most beautiful example of conventional Ottoman architecture, fell out of favor in the nineteenth century. Sultans relocated to Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus, which features Neo-Classical architecture. Topkapi Palace, on the other hand, was not entirely abandoned.
· The Architecture:
The Palace is split architecturally into Birun (Outer Palace) and Enderun (Inner Palace) and covers approximately 700,000 square meters. The Palace’s notable Harem was located in the Inner Palace. Three gates, four courtyards, the Harem, and the Royal gardens distinguish the Palace’s architectural design.
Topkapi Palace’s design and appearance set it apart from other European castles and Islamic or eastern palaces. Because of its grand appearance and eclectic mix of architectural styles, the Ottomans dubbed it “The Palace of Felicity.”
· Interior
The Topkapi palace has an appearance that attracts many tourists. The four courtyards serve different purposes.
· First Courtyard:
The First Courtyard is the main entrance protected by the Imperial Gate. To enter the Palace, you must pass through a middle gate referred to as The Gate of Salutation. The aptly named Devi Pavilion, positioned close to the entrance of the Salutation gate, was the place where commoners would express their pleas to the Palace. The most important Hagia Irene Museum is positioned in the first courtyard built by a famous Byzantium ruler Justinian.
· Second Courtyard:
The middle gate brings us to the second court of the castle, also identified as the Council Square, where government business was conducted. A catalog of Chinese celadon porcelain, much admired by the Emperors for its elegance and functionality, can be found here. The Harem is the most visible realm in the second courtyard, which leads through the Carriage Gates.
· Third Courtyard:
The Third Courtyard is primarily the Sultan’s arena, shielded by white noblemen.
The privy room is a two-story structure with four key components, and that is another part of Topkapi Palace that exhibits fantastic ivory inlay work from the time. The Pavilion Conqueror, constructed into a technically infeasible slope, is the most impressive display of architectural artistry in the Third Court, consisting of four beds and a semi-open porch.
· Fourth Courtyard:
The House of Pavilions leads to the astounding Marble Hall Terrace, the tallest peak of the Fourth Court. The Circumcision Chamber, constructed during the reign of Sultan Suleiman, is housed in the Fourth Court. Beautiful hand-drawn gold-leaf work is the highlight of this place. The Tower of the Chief Physician, the Wardrobe Chamber, and the Sofa Mosque are essential locations to explore in the Fourth Court.
Skip the line and buy tickets online
Topkapi Palace – Touring Guidelines
· Entrance Fee
As of 2022, the entrance fee to Topkapi Palace is 200 Turkish Liras. You must pay an additional fee of 100 TL to tour the Harem portion. Children under the age of eight are admitted free of charge. The Istanbul Museum Pass is valid throughout the Palace. Especially with the new costs, it seems rational to purchase the Museum Pass Istanbul for 360 TL, which is considered valid for visiting other museums in Istanbul. You can visit the Basilica Cistern on this pass as well.
· Ticket Offices:
Ticket Offices are bustling during the summer season. The tourist season in Istanbul begins in April and lasts until November. As a result, long lines form next to ticket offices during the spring and summer.
You have two options if you don’t want to stand in line to purchase tickets: To begin, you can purchase the Istanbul Museum Pass. Second, you can purchase Topkapi Palace skip-the-line tickets, including a guided tour of the Palace.
· Topkapi Palace Opening Hours
The Topkapi Palace is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. During the winter, the museum shuts down sooner. Also, please keep in mind that the museum is inaccessible on Tuesdays.
The visiting hours of Istanbul’s museums may vary depending on Covid-19 measurements. Before visiting the museum, I recommend checking the Palace’s official site for the most up-to-date information.
· Guided Tours:
There are many guided tours available on the website. It depends on the tour that you have opted for. Generally, a small group of 12 people is allowed on tour to enjoy the grandeur and majesty of Topkapi Palace.
You can choose the combo guided tour where you can also explore other famous tourist attractions, including Süleymaniye Mosque and Basilica Cistern.
· How to Reach There?
Topkapi Palace is situated in Sultanahmet, one of Istanbul’s most famous tourist regions. As a result, getting to the Palace is a piece of cake.
To get to Topkapi Palace from Taksim Square, you first must take Funicular F1 to Kabataş. You can reach Sultanahmet in 15 minutes if you take Tram T1 from Kabataş Tram Station. The walk from Sultanahmet Tram Station to Topkapi Palace takes only 10 minutes.
Final thoughts
Topkapi Palace is a place where thousands of stories are embedded. A walk here takes you back to the crucial times in history. If you want to experience the grandeur of this Palace, book a ticket and visit this wonderful place that has a lot to tell.