Topkapi Palace Museum

You can arrive at the First Court after crossing the Ottoman Imperial Palace which serves as the largest courtyard of the Topaki palace museum. Some of the monuments of this first courtyard have been destroyed as this place contains only the former Imperial Mint, the church of Hagia Irene, and beautiful fountains.

The church of Hagia Irene is a Byzantine surviving architecture that came to be used as a storage house in the Ottoman times. This place is where the Janissaries lived and moved around in their best attire as it is also known as the “Court of Janissaries“ or the “Parade Court”. The Janissaries would leave this place parading through the Salutation gate, which leads to the second Court.

Read More: Topkapi Palace Interior

Completed around the reign of Mehmed the conqueror, it got its best form during the rule of Suleiman the magnificent. This courtyard is surrounded by the hospital of the palace, bakery, janissary quarters, harem, and divan by the north and kitchens to the south.

The courtyard has been the place where Byzantine and Roman artifacts have been discovered and are still on the display. This courtyard would pet different beautiful peacocks and gazelles. The second courtyard also holds an underground mysterious Byzantine cistern. At the end lies the Gate of Felicity, marking the end of the second courtyard and entrance into the third court.

Check Out: Reasons to Visit Topkapi Palace

The Harem is the place that accounts for its existence in almost every Islamic Empire as this place was the place of the kingdom’s women. Harem means “Forbidden” or “Private” as it was the place where no man except the Sultan could enter. Topkapi Place Harem contained the Sultan's private apartments and chambers along with 400 beautiful rooms.

The architecture of the Harem is Ottoman-Baroque Style and is decorated with enchanting windows and walls. This is the place where the Sultan Mother Valide Sultan along with the children of the kingdom would reside along with the Sultan’s consorts, wives, concubines, and favorites. This place was guarded by eunuchs and held various celebrations and performances for the Sultan.

Read More: Guide to Topkapi Palace

Entering through the Gate of Felicity from the second courtyard, the third courtyard is also known as the inner palace. The beautiful green garden is surrounded by important places such as the Harem and has Oda- the hall of the privy chamber, treasury, and library.

The third courtyard was home to the Agas, the page boys who would later become officials, trained in this courtyard for arts, painting, calligraphy, and music. This large courtyard also contains a miniature and portrait gallery, a mosque of Agas, a dormitory of Agas, and the infamous imperial treasury.

Book Now: Audio Guide Tour of Topkapi Palace

Existing since the 1460s, the imperial treasury is one of the oldest places of the palace known as the Conqueror’s Pavillion. It has two floors with the lower one being the service rooms and the upper one containing 4 apartments. The imperial treasury was a place where the most valuable items of the Empire including the revenues from Egypt.

The imperial treasury held artworks, jewelry, heirlooms, and coins-money belonging to the Ottoman Empire taken care of by the trusted chief treasurer. The armor of Sultan Mustafa and the ebony throne of Sultan Murad is also there. One of the strangest highlights of the imperial treasury includes a music box with a gold elephant from India.

Book Now: Guided Tours of Topkapi Palace

Fourth Courtyard is also known as Imperial Sofa being the innermost private sanctuary of the royal family. This place contains a number of pavilions, beautiful gardens, and terraces. Fourth Courtyard contains the circumcision room, Yerevan Kiosk, Baghdad Kiosk, Iftar Kiosk, terrace Kiosk, grand kiosk, Tower of the head, stone throne, and a terrace Mosque. This is famous for containing the medicine kiosk built by Sultan Abdulmecit of Dolmabahce Palace along with the beautiful lush flowers in Tulip Garden.

Book Now:  Harem Tour of Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace History Commenced to be made in 1459 by Mehmed the conqueror, Topkapi Palace served as residence to the Ottoman Royal Family and important government officials for 400+ years. This Palace is accounted for holding the Empire’s most important meetings, government affairs, state affairs, and official gatherings.

Topaki Palace remained a hub for such activities until the 19th century as it was replaced by the westernized Dolmabahce Palace. Then, in 1922, the Ottoman Monarchy was replaced by the Republic of Turkey leading to this palace turning into the Topkapi Palace museum under the orders of the Founder Father of the Nation Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1924.

Also Check:  Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern

Topkapi Palace is a huge complex that needs a lot of time for exploration as it contains large chambers, apartments, and gardens. The main Palace is divided into three sections- Inner Palace, Outer Palace, and the Harem.

Inner Palace of the place where official meetings and state government affairs would be held. Outer Palace contains enormous courtyards and enchanting gardens with large fountains, pools, and flourishing flowers. The Harem was the place where most women of the kingdom would reside including the Sultan’s consorts, concubines, wives, consorts, and favorites along with the Sultan’s mother and his children.

Click Here:  Basilica Cistern And Topkapi Palace Museum