Map of Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace Museum (Topkapı Palace Museum) is located on the territory of the palace of the same name, the main residence of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the mid-19th century. It is located in the center of the old part of Istanbul (Sultanahmet district) on Cape Sarayburnu, from which the Bosphorus Strait, the Golden Horn and Marmara Bay are clearly visible sea. The main entrance to the palace is located next to Hagia Sophia. Therefore, these two city attractions are often visited as part of the same excursion. Also nearby is the underground reservoir Basilica Cistern. The exact address of the Topkapi Palace Museum is: Sultanahmet, Fatih. Istanbul.
Inner courtyard of Topkapi Palace
Description of Topkapi Palace
The area of Topkapi Palace is very large – about 700 thousand square meters. meters. This is the largest palace in Istanbul. Its fortress wall is more than 1.4 km long. The palace consists of 4 courtyards. After passing the main gate (the Lord’s Gate), tourists find themselves in the first courtyard. The Sultan did not live here; there were utility rooms here. Further, behind the Gates of Welcome (they resemble the gates of Disneyland), in the second courtyard there was the treasury and the office of the Divan (an advisory body to the Sultan). After passing the third gate (Gate of Happiness) you can get into the personal chambers of the Sultan and his Harem. There is also a 4th courtyard, where the mosque and various pavilions were located.
Reception Hall of the Sultan
History of Topacpa Palace
Initially, the palace of the Byzantine emperors was located on Cape Sarayburnu. However, after the fall of the Byzantine Empire and its conquest by the Ottoman Turks, only ruins remained of the palace. The first Ottoman palace buildings on the territory of Topkapi appeared in the mid-15th century, when Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror decided to build his harem here. Another 20 years later, he began building the palace itself on this site. The exact dates of construction of the palace: the period between 1460 and 1478. Soon, Topakpi Palace, due to its favorable location, became the main residence of the Ottoman sultans. In general, for more than 400 years, 25 Turkish sultans managed to live in it, including Suleiman the Magnificent and his wife Roksolana. The palace was constantly being completed and rebuilt. This situation continued until 1854, when Sultan Abdulmecid I decided to move to a new, more luxurious Dolmabahce Palace, built according to European standards.
One of the interior halls of Topkapi Palace. Interior.
Museum opening hours, entrance fees
Today, a state museum is located on the territory of Topkapi Palace. Entrance to the middle of the complex is paid. The cost of an adult ticket in 2019 was 72 Turkish lira. To enter the Harem you have to pay an additional 42 liras. By the way, the interiors of the Harem are the most beautiful. In addition to the palace itself, visitors can also see exhibits from the treasury of the Ottoman sultans (they had a lot of gold and jewelry). Other exhibitions are also held on the museum grounds.
The Church of St. Irene (Hagia Irene Monument), located in the first courtyard of the Topkapi Palace, was recently opened to visitors (you must pay a separate entrance fee of 36 Turkish lira).
For foreign children under 8 years of age, entry to the palace is free. Children under 6 years old are admitted to the Harem free of charge.
Entrance to treasury of the Topkapi Palace Museum
The Topkapi Palace Museum is open 7 days a week. It is closed only on January 1 (New Year), April 23 (Independence Day) and October 29 (Republic Day). On religious holidays it may open later than usual (13:00). Typically, Topkapi Palace opens at 9 am and closes at 6:45 pm (this is during the summer season, from April 15 to October 26). During the winter season, when daylight is short, the museum closes at 16:45. Please note that the ticket office and entrance to the museum close earlier (at 16:00 in winter and at 18:00 in summer).
A lot of tourists always want to get to Topkapi Palace, so the queue to enter is often very long. But electronic tickets (on your phone) can be purchased in advance on the Tiqets international website using this link. This way you will immediately get to the museum, and not have to stand in line (a museum representative will meet you and take you to the museum, at least that’s what Tiqets promises). In general, you should set aside about two hours of free time to visit the Topkapi Palace Museum.
On the territory of the complex there are several cafes and restaurants, as well as souvenir shops.
Entrance to the palace territory is paid.
Official website of the Topkapi Museum: http://topkapisarayi.gov.tr/en
