Administrative headquarter of the Ottoman Empire. It was started to be built after the conquest of Constantinople in 1459. It was constantly developed with the new buildings constructed according to the requirements.
Buildings and exhibitions:
- Hırka-i Saadet building : Sacred Custodies of the prophet and the caliphs are exhibited: Swords and
holy books and writing panels
belonging to Hz. Mohammed,
Kaabe belongings, some building
materials and belongings that were
taken after restorations of the
Kaabe, the locks and keys of Kaabe . The sword of Hz. Ali named Zülfikar , The letter of the
prophet written on leather in 12
lines with the seal of the prophet and sakal-ı şerif (the beard of Hz.
Mohammed) kept in embroidered
cases can be visited.
- Fatih Manor House: (Kasikci ) Spoonmaker's diamond ( 86 carats ) , theTopkapi dagger and a throne are exhibited.
- Palace kitchens:
Located at the
right side of the second
courtyard . Chinese and Japanese porcelains are exhibited here.
- Helvahane section : Metal kitchenware , coffee sets and tombacs are exhibited
- Main stable: Horse harnesses and sultanate carriages are exhibited.
- Seferli Koğuşu ( room of warriors ) : cloths of Sultans
- Kubbealti where
the council meetings were
conducted.
- Church of Hagia Irene which
was also used as an arsenal.
Some of the Collections you will admire:
- Istanbul Glassware and Porcelain: Product of Istanbul which were First Ottoman porcelains produced in Beykoz and Yıldız porcelains., Blue annd white porcelains and multiple colored porcelains .
- Portraits of Sultans and Paintings : Engravings, oil paintings, watercolours and paintings on ivory.
- Silverware : 2000 silverworks from 15th century.
- Sultan Caftans, Fabrics, Carpets and Sacred Coverings ,
- The Privy Room and Holy Relics Chamber ,
- Imperial Treasury
- Sacred Custodies of Hz. Mohammed the prophet and the caliphs
- Armors and weapons : Used by sultans as well as
the state
officials in various periods
Topkapi Palace was left in the
middle of the 19th century
and lost its function as the
center of the state. The palace
was turned into a museum in
1924.
Address:
Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 512 04 80
www.topkapisarayi.gov.tr
You can also visit the other popular palaces:
See also in Istanbul
