Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top Sights
Topkapı Palace
Topkapı is the subject of more colourful stories than most
of the world's museums put together. Libidinous sultans,
ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eu-
nuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th
centuries when the palace was the seat of the Ottoman sul-
tanate. Visiting its opulent pavilions, landscaped court-
yards, jewel-filled Treasury and sprawling Harem gives a
fascinating glimpse into the lives of the sultans and their
families, as well as offering an insight into the history and
customs of a once mighty empire.
Topkapı Sarayı
OFFLINE MAP
Babıhümayun Caddesi
palace 25, Harem 15
9am-6pm Wed-Mon mid-
Apr-Sep, to 4pm Oct-mid-Apr
Sultanahmet
Don't Miss
First Court
Before you enter the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun), pause to view the gorgeous rococo-
style
Fountain of Sultan Ahmet III
in the middle of the cobbled roundabout. Passing
through the gate, you will enter the Court of the Janissaries, also known as the First Court.
On your left is the Byzantine church of Hagia Eirene, more commonly known as Aya İrini (
Click here
)
.
Second Court
The second of the palace's huge courtyards is home to audience pavilions, barracks, kit-
chens and sleeping quarters. Be sure to visit the Outer Treasury, where an impressive col-
lection of Ottoman and European armoury is displayed.
Imperial Council Chamber
This ornate chamber on the left (west) side of the Second Court is where the Imperial
Divân (Council) made laws, where citizens presented petitions and where foreign dignitar-
