The Ultimate Guide to Topkapi Palace

A royal residence that has hosted more than 22 Sultans and their families, Topkapi Palace is an emblem of the grandeur of Turkish history. Sitting mighty on the Seraglio Point, the Palace Museum is an architectural landmark that holds some of the most revered treasures of the Ottoman Empire, including weapons, watches, kaftans, and more. The Topkapi Palace was converted into a Museum after the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1924. A subject of many mind-blowing stories, this 15^th-century structure has etched its presence in the city of Istanbul and serves as the upholder of Turkish history. Set on top, the most visible hill of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, is the symbol of the city.

An incredible location, Topkapi Palace is built atop the Byzantine acropolis surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn. Approximately 700,000 square meters in area, the palace is architecturally divided into Birun (Outer Palace) and Enderun (Inner Palace). The famous harem of the palace was in the Inner Palace. Three gates, four courtyards, the Harem, and the Royal gardens give the palace a unique constructional makeup.

The original layout of the palace, as envisioned by Mehmet II, has been retained. The 15^th-century marvel consists of four courtyards with each one serving a specific purpose.

The main entrance to the palace, the First Courtyard, is the largest one in the palace guarded by the Imperial Gate. Above the Imperial Gate, you will find verses 45-48 of the Quran inscribed in Arabic. The first courtyard is the Court of the Janissaries or the Parade Court. To enter the proper palace, a middle gate known as The Gate of Salutation (Babussaelam) guides you through. Both the Imperial and the middle gate have undergone several renovations since their first installations. The first courtyard was the only part of Topkapi Palace that was accessible by the public. As you pass through the first gate, a rush of an era gone by that was marked by imperial ruling hits you as you wonder about the ebbs and flows that history has taken us through. The Deavi Pavilion located near the Gate of Salutation, appropriately named, was where the peasants would present their petitions to the palace. On to the right side of the courtyard was the location of the Ministry of Finance, royal bakery, the residence of royal subjects, and the Palace hospital. The first courtyard very clearly portrays the mélange of architectural styles that one can observe in the whole of Turkey. On the left side of the courtyard, you can find the Hagiya Eirene church, the second largest church of the East Roman Empire.

The middle gate leads to the palace’s second court, also known as the Council Square where official business was carried out. The beautiful gardens and the fountains warmly welcomed the King and his mother on horseback, while everyone else had to dismount. The right side of the courtyard houses the palace kitchens behind the portico. Here you can find a collection of Chinese celadon porcelain much revered by the Sultans for its beauty and purposefulness. On the left side, you can find the Tower of Justice and the Domed chamber, where the imperial council held official meetings. Near the Domed Chamber you can find the weapons collection of the museum in the External Treasury room. The second courtyard also has columns and cisterns from the Byzantine era. However, the most prominent arena the second courtyard leads through the Carriage Gates is the Harem.

Harem, literally meaning “forbidden” or “private,” is ironically the biggest highlight of the Topkapi Palace visit, as it is sure to raise your curiosity in terms of accepted cultural trends during the yesteryears. Vastly considered the most beautiful part of the palace, the Harem’s entrance is right underneath the Tower of Justice. Although visiting the Harem requires a special pass, it is highly recommended as you get to enjoy the best bits of Topkapi Palace while avoiding the throngs of crowd. The bright colored mosaics, the golden embellishments, the stained-glass windows, and randomly disperse quotations from the Quran are reminiscent of the style of the period. The Harem was the place of residence for the sultans, their families, servants, concubines and black eunuchs, the style reflected in the construction are a combination of periods from the 16^th to 19^th century, the apartments are secluded and highly guarded through high walls. The Harem is a place containing 300 rooms, 9 bathhouses, two mosques and several servant quarters.

The place is filled with such beautiful and interesting stories that speak about life at the time including the important role that black eunuchs played in the ruling of the palace itself. The Valide Sultan played the central role in the Harem and is well documented by her ornate room. A very notable place at Tokpaki, where you can catch a sight of the skyline of Istanbul is at the Salon of the Valide Sultan. The Privy Chamber of Murat, the Privy Chamber of Ahmed II, and the dining room are also treasure houses themselves in terms of interiors. At the courtyard of the favorites, you will find cages where the brothers and sons of the sultan were imprisoned. Past the Golden Road are the third and fourth courtyards.

Entered through the Gate of Felicity, the Third Courtyard is largely the Sultan’s private arena, guarded by white eunuchs. Covering approximately an area of 900 square meters, entry to this area was virtually impossible once the doors were shut. The Audience Chamber, the first building in the Third Court, was where the sultan received the dignitaries. Just behind this is the Library of Sultan Ahmed II, a masterpiece from the Tulip Period. The Sultan, who instated this was a calligrapher and bibliographer and consulted famed architect Sinan for the library’s construction. The library was a valuable treasure house for the officials and served as a second school in the palace. The inscription found in the library very well puts the library’s purpose as a preserver of the invaluable works in the Inner Treasury, the Privy Room Treasury, and the Harem. The windows and shutters of the library stun you with the incredible mother-of-pearl and ivory inlay.

Another classic attraction at the Inner Palace is the Dormitory of Campaigners, which currently exhibits the clothing of the Sultans. At the Privy Room of the Chamber of Holi Relics, you can find the Fountain Hall underneath the first dome. Beneath the second dome, was the place of seating for the Sultan and the Petition Room was where he would read out petitions. The privy room is a two-floor structure with 4 main components and is another part of Topkapi Palace that vastly displays the brilliant ivory inlay work of the time. However, the biggest display of architectural mastery in the Third Court is the Pavilion Conqueror, built into a highly inconvenient slope, and the pavilion is made of four rooms with a semi-open portico. Other places of importance in the Third Courtyard are the Agalar mosque, Kilerli Kogusu, and the Dormitory of the Privy Chamber.

The house of Pavilions, the Privy Room, opens up to an incredible Marble Hall Terrace, which is the highest point of the Fourth Court. The beautiful gardens that are still maintained in the same style to this day also have a pool located in the portico. As you walk down a flight of stairs, you will reach the lower terraces directed towards to Marmara Sea. The Fourth Court houses the Circumcision chamber which was built during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The room has a distinct architectural style that is quite jarring compared to the rest of the Palace.

The Yerevan pavilion, showing the work of architect Koca Kasim Aga, was built as a commemoration for the victory of Sultan Murad IV. The hall is quite the showpiece with a lot of beautiful hand-drawn gold-leaf work. The Baghdad Pavilion was conceptualized just as Sultan Murad IV embarked on his Baghdad journey. Unfortunately, the building was only completed after the sultan’s death.

A unique example of pavilion works, the building is a show of classical décor with beautiful comfortable diwans and marvelous Iznik tiles. Built-in the 17^th century, the Baghdad Pavilion is the best-preserved structure in all of Topkapi Palace. However, for an incredible view of the city, the Iftar Gazebo is the place to check. The golf-plated copper columns support the tulip roof of this small gazebo. It was used during festivities and for breaking fast during Ramadan. The mother of Turkish Rococo architecture, the sofa Pavilion houses an important gold-plated brazier that was presented to Sultan Mahmud I by King Louis XV. The inscription reads, “Duplesis.” This sofa pavilion’s architecture served as the inspiration to the seaside mansions along Bosphorus. Other important places to visit in the Fourth Court are the Tower of Chief Physician, the wardrobe chamber and the Sofa Mosque.

The nearest station to Topkapi Palace is the Sirkeci Station of Marmaray. Once you get down at the station, reach the Governere of Istanbul and follow the path to Gulhane entrance to reach the palace.

Tram stations Gulhane and Sultanahmet are at walkable distance to the museum.

Bus lines 90B and tB2 stop near Topkapi Palace.

The Topkapi Palace Museum is open every day except on Tuesday. The visiting hours change by season.

Winter Season (October 2^nd – April 1^st): The museum, Harem, and Hagia Irene are open between 9:00 AM and 4:45 PM. The last entry is at 4:00 PM.

Summer Season (April 1^st – October 2^nd): The museum, Harem, and Hagia Irene are open between 9:00 AM and 6:45 PM. The last entry is at 6:00 PM.

Kindly note that the Museum also remains closed on New Year, Children’s Day, and Republic Day. During the first day of Ramadan and the first day of Festival of Sacrifice, the museum is open between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

Tickets to the Museum cost 72TL per person. To visit Harem and Halberdiers, you need to buy a separate ticket of 42TL in the ticket booths outside the museum or at the Harem entrance. If you only want to visit Hagia Irene, a ticket would cost 36TL per person.

Children under the age of 8 years can enter the palace for free. However, for Harem, only children under 6 years are allowed free entry. Senior citizens (65 years or older), veterans, and families with appropriate ID, disabled persons with attendants, soldiers, and officers can enter Topkapi Palace without price. Payments are accepted through cash or credit card. Group discounts are also available for the palace, except Harem.

If you get to visit this palace's opulent pavilions, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their lives. Apart from that, there are four different courtyards and seventeen different exhibitions you can easily spend at least three hours in this gigantic place, so make sure to pick up a Topkapi Palace map at the entrance. Topkapi palace museum is now the most visited museum of Istanbul, receiving nearly three million visitors annually.