Topkapı is the most visited landmark of Istanbul. This is one of the finest monuments that reflect the classical architecture of the Ottoman Empire. Palace reveals the history, magnificence and wealth of a long lasting empire. Topkapı Palace was the official headquarters of the Ottoman state and residence of the Sultans. The Palace was not only the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was opened as a museum in 1924, a year after the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye. The Topkapı Palace Museum is notable not only for its architecture and collections but also for the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire that it recalls and that makes Topkapı Palace unique.
Hotels in the Topkapı area in Istanbul are the most prestigious. The Palace is located on the high Cape Saraiburnu, from its beautiful terraces you can see both sides of Istanbul, there are beautiful gardens with centuries – old plane trees, there are cafes and restaurants with sea views. To visit the Topkapı Palace completely you would need at least half a day. The Topkapı Palace takes you into the fantastical, incredible world of the Sultans.
And what does Topkapı mean?
The literal meaning of the Turkish word “Topkapı” – Cannon Gate. (In Urdu language توپ کا دروازہ)
The “Top” translates as a cannonball (توپ کا گولہ) and “Kapı” is a gate (دروازہ).
If you hear the phrase “Topkapı Sarayı” this is the Sultan’s Palace. “Saray” means a Palace in Turkish (محل).
Sultan Mehmed – Fatih II, started the construction of the Palace in 1465. Topkapı Palace was built for several decades in the center of Istanbul on Cape Sarayburnu. The Palace is being surrounded by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The area of the complex with all the Palace buildings and territories is about 80000 square meters. There are many sections in the Topkapı Palace which can be visited nowadays, these are exhibition halls and doesn’t contain any furniture.
The “Ali Majar Reis Atlas” is housed in the Topkapı Palace Museum Library in Istanbul. Having in its possession more than 20,000 manuscripts, the New Library is a bank of rich history pertaining to the region. It contains some of the rarest books of history and literature including fine examples of calligraphy, thousands of copies of the Quran and much more.
Library
The Topkapi Palace Museum boasts a spectacular and fascinating collection of Ottoman robes, porcelain, miniatures, calligraphic manuscripts, jewelry, and other treasures, including the Topkapi Dagger.
The view of Istanbul Topkapı Palace from the Karaköy
A painting from the regular Divan-i Humayun meetings of the Ottomans, Topkapı Palace
Ottoman Iznik tiles from the Harem section of Topkapı Palace, Istanbul
Topkapı is visited annually by about 2 million tourists and this makes it the most popular attraction in Istanbul.