In the midst of the crowds and lines, occasional military parades provide a glimpse into the origins of this modern democracy. Topkapi Palace Skip-The-Line Entry with Guided Tour (From US$22.05) Skip the Line: Topkapi Palace Including Süleymaniye Mosque and Ceramics Workshop in Istanbul (From US$61.60) VIP Istanbul Combo Ticket: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Baslica Cistern (From US$49.28) Evening Sunset Cruise in Istanbul (From US$12.32) Topkapi palace is a gem to be discovered - there's so much history to explore through the relics and possessions of the sultans that you sometimes forget where you are. When it was used as a palace, it served more functions than one ,generally associates with royal house. Since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, it has been converted to a museum and is now a major tourist attraction and worth a visit. Fax: +90 212 5285991. Home of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, Topkapı Sarayı (“Palace of the Cannon Gate”—map) was the seraglio, the heart of the vast Ottoman Empire, ruled by the monarch who lived in Topkapı’s hundreds of rooms with hundreds of concubines, children, and white and black servants. The initial construction was Cinili Mansion, a tiled kiosk finished in 1472, and the main gate (Bab-i Humayun in Arabic or the Imperial Gate) facing Sultanahmet square and Hagia Sophia church, and the Palace ramparts at the second gate (Bab-us Selam or the Gate of Salutation) were completed in 1478. A third gate, Bab-us Saade or the Felicity Gate, separates the core and most important parts of the palace from other sections, such as the Treasury for example. Topkapi Palace served as the home of the Ottoman Sultans from 1478 to 1856 and is one of Istanbul's most popular attractions. After the conquest of the city in 1453, the young Sultan Mehmet moved the capital of the empire to Istanbul .He was settled in the middle of the town and built Topkapı Palace which is well known as a traditional example of Turkish Palace structure. Topkapi Palace’s architecture features work from some of the most prominent Ottoman architects in Turkey, including Mimar Sinan. At some point, its population topped to a record high of 474 ladies. To be certain on the closure days or opening times, you can call that museum directly (country code for Turkey is +90) or contact me to double check. The museum is closed to visitors in the morning of the first day of religious holidays. Most of the museums have longer opening hours during summer months. At first, the Harem was left in the Old Palace and was moved to its present The great Palace Kitchens on the right (east) as you enter incorporate a dedicated Helvahane (confectionery kitchen). When you enter the third courtyard (courtyard of the Enderun), the first building is the Audience Hall where the sultan received his viziers or foreign ambassadors. This is one of the most beautiful (if not the most) palace in the world. Commanding an impressive view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, Topkapı Palace is one of Istanbul’s most impressive sites and among its most visited tourist attractions. The domes of Topkapı’s Harem dominate the Golden Horn. Topkapi Palace Address: Topkapı Sarayı, Cankurtaran Mahallesi, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Istanbul, Turkey Topkapi Palace Contact Number: +90-2125120480 Topkapi Palace Timing: 09:00 am - 06:45 pm The palace became the largest palace in the world, a city within a city. Topkapi Palace Skip-The-Line Entry with Guided Tour (From US$22.31) Skip the Line: Topkapi Palace Including Süleymaniye Mosque and Ceramics Workshop in Istanbul (From US$62.32) VIP Istanbul Combo Ticket: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Baslica Cistern (From US$49.85) Evening Sunset Cruise in Istanbul (From US$12.46) For approximately 400 years, Topkapi served as a residence to the various sultans that ruled at the time. In this article, you can find updated information about the Topkapi Palace entrance fee and opening hours.In addition, the history of the Topkapi Palace is also briefly noted.. During the high tourist season, it is possible to enter the Topkapi Palace with online tickets. Phone: +90 212 5120480 Amongst the many interesting items we can name the 86 carat Spoon Maker’s (Kasikci in Turkish) Diamond, Topkapi Dagger, huge emeralds, several thrones, big candle sticks made of pure gold, and relics of St. John the Baptist. Beauty almost overwhelms as you wander the extensive grounds from treasure to treasure. In addition, Topkapi Palace entrance fee and opening hours are also noted. Therefore it was the heart, the brain, the very center of the Ottoman Empire.Later, the harem (private quarters) of the sultans was moved here too. Please note that admission fees, opening times or days of closure of the museums might be changed without prior notice, or that museum or section might be closed for restorations. Its architecture is predominantly Middle Eastern in character. The Harem, literally meaning "forbidden" in Arabic, was a complex of apartments in the palace belonging to the wives, concubines and children of the sultan, guarded by the black eunuchs. There are two small scale models of the palace on the right and a big map showing the foundation and expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The second gate has two guard towers and is called "Gate of Salutation", because everybody had to salute the sultan before going through. Also, at the end of the article, I shared links where you can buy skip the line tickets for Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. He designed the palace’s harem section, with its elaborate blue Iznik tiles. Today there is a nice collection of Chinese and some Japanese porcelains collection and the silverware at separate sections of the kitchens. The Topkapı Palace, or the Seraglio, is a large museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum is re-opened after restorations. The Library of Ahmet III, is also situated in the third … Please note that in some of the exhibition halls you're not permitted to take any photographs, such as Treasury, Sultans' costumes, and the Holly Relics. Before you get to the second gate, there are ticket boots, a change office, and a small gift shop on the right. Currently, the admission to the palace costs 100 TL for adults and another 70 TL to the Harem. During the summer period it has longer opening hours (until 19:00 usually) and might be open 7 days a week, depending on the high tourist request. Storage for belongings, a car park and a cloakroom are available for guests' convenience. Therefore the palace is formed by a maze of buildings centered around a series of courtyards protected by different gates. With numerous restaurants, a supersized pool scene and a striking exterior, the Swandor Hotels & Resorts Topkapi Palace is fit for a king and queen. The walls surrounding it were about 5 kilometers (around 3 miles) long. At first it was called New Palace (Yeni Saray).Later on it the palace was called Topkapi due to the Cannon gates addition in 19th Century. The history of Topkapi Palace goes back 550 years. You can buy the "Museum Pass" for foreigners which is valid for 3 and 5 days in various museums of Istanbul. Baghdad kiosk, Revan kiosk and Sofa kiosk on the left of the courtyard overlooking the Golden Horn, all of them built in the 17th century and decorated with fine tiles and mother of pearl inlaid on wood, circumcision room for the sons of the sultan, Mecidiye kiosk on the right of the courtyard overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus, built in the mid-19th century, and the small mosque are some interesting elements of this last courtyard. Topkapi palace is a gem to be discovered - there's so much history to explore through the relics and possessions of the sultans that you sometimes forget where you are. This is one of the most beautiful (if not the most) palace in the world. The construction of the Topkapi Palace began in 1459 CE, a few years after the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet the Conqueror. The palace of Topkapi near the Bosphorus strait witnessed the greatest glories and the most heartbreaking tragedies in the history of the Ottoman Empire .Currently the Topkapi palace is a museum but less than 100 years ago it was the home of a sultan, his harem, and his many attendants. Topkapi Palace Skip-The-Line Entry with Guided Tour (From US$22.34) Skip the Line: Topkapi Palace Including Süleymaniye Mosque and Ceramics Workshop in Istanbul (From US$62.39) Evening Sunset Cruise in Istanbul (From US$12.48) Istanbul: Topkapi Palace VIP Tickets (From US$26.88) See all Topkapi Palace experiences on Tripadvisor The Topkapi palace of Istanbul, Turkey can be either a photographers dream or an absolute nightmare.Built in 1478, when the city was called Constantinople, the former home of the Ottoman sultans is a mass of courtyards, rooms, and elaborate décor. In the 15th century, it served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. Although it was the house of the Sultan, the only ruler of the empire, it was at the same time the center of the administrative affairs, the place where the council of ministers met, and the treasury, mint, and state archives were located there .It is situated on the acropolis, the site of the first settlement in Istanbul, it shows an impressive view of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. There are many sections in the Topkapi Palace which can be visited today, these are exhibition halls and doesn't contain any furniture. Here, a nice park, some ruins and columns from the Byzantine period, a 6th century Hagia Irene church which is occasionally used for some concerts and art exhibitions today, the Imperial Mint, and the Archaeological museum welcomes you. After the third courtyard, there are several passages to the fourth and last courtyard of the palace, the private garden of the sultan (Sofa-i Humayun in Arabic) where he had roses and tulips and some kiosks from which he had a great view of the city while drinking his tea or coffee. There were originally around 700-800 residents of the Palace at the beginning, but during the centuries it dramatically raised to 5,000 during normal days and 10,000 during festivals, approximately. The property comprises 908 rooms. 9.4 The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is today an extremely popular museum, but its past is just as fascinating as any other historical tourist attraction in Turkey. It resembles an immense Otag-i Humayun (imperial state tent) as if to remind that Turkish tribes have come from the vast steppes of Central Asia. The Topkapi Palace is in the Sultanahmet neighborhood near Eminonu in the Old City area, and is open daily between 09:00 – 17:00 except on Tuesdays. 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