The Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace was built in 1478 and was the center of the Ottoman Empire for 380 years.

The palace, whose current area is 80 decares, was 8-9 times larger in its early years.

The name "Topkapı" was given to the palace because one of the gates of the Istanbul Castle located in Sarayburnu during the Byzantine period was named Topkapı.

The palace had seven large gates, four facing the land and three facing the sea. The palace was usually entered through the gate called "Bab-ı Hümayun" in front of Hagia Sophia. About 300 meters inside this gate is the Middle Gate. Grand Viziers had to dismount from their horses at the Middle Gate and enter on foot. There is a promenade here called «First Place». In the Palace Kitchen on the right, enough food was cooked for 15,000 or even 20,000 people. At the end of the promenade is the harem gate and the Kubbealtı, where the viziers gather. After the Middle Gate comes the Akağalar Gate, also called "Bab-us Seade". In this part, there are Baghdad Mansion, Kara Mustafa Pasha Mansion, Mecidiye Mansion, Revan Room, Cardigan Room, Circumcision Room, and Tulip Garden. All these formed the "Selamlık" part of the Palace. The "Harem Department" was one of the most interesting corners of the Palace. The mothers, wives, concubines and journeymen of the sultans lived here. Additionally, the apartment where the sultan lived was also located here. III. Murat's bedroom was the most magnificent place, not only in the Harem Department, but in the entire Topkapi Palace.

You can see Topkapi Palace on our daily tours.

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