Topkapi Palace In Istanbul – The Home Of Sultans For 400 Years

The Topkapi Palace in Istanbul might be a museum that you will see featured in many quality Egypt and Turkey tours, but for approximately 400 years, it was home to the Ottoman sultans.

If the truth be known, Turkey probably has more historical attractions than any other country on earth. In fact, Istanbul alone has enough attractions to keep the average tourist busy throughout their stay in the country. In truth however, most sightseeing tourists spend a few days or weeks visiting and exploring some of the most iconic Turkey tourist attractions in Istanbul, and then they make a dash for Cappadocia. However, very few do so without first visiting Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.

A Brief History Of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

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. For approximately 400 years, Topkapi served as a residence to the various sultans that ruled at the time.

It’s worth remembering that this was no ordinary palace. Unlike many palaces around the world, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul wasn’t only home to the ruling sultan and his family. Topkapi at one point had around 4,000 people living on the premises. It even had its own mosque and its very own hospital. It also had its own mint, and even it own bakery.

Sultan Mehmed II who led the invasion of Constantinople ordered the palace to be built, and construction was duly started in 1459, and the palace was called the “New Palace”.  Later, during the 19th century, it was renamed Topkapi Palace, but this was only after major repairs were carried out following a major earthquake in 1509 and a destructive fire in 1665.

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Topkapi Palace Loses Its Appeal

By the end of the 17th century, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul had all but lost its appeal, at least to the sultans. This also marked the end of further expansions, bearing in mind that the palace as it stands today, took centuries to complete. The entire palace was never built to a fixed plan. Instead, the original palace was expanded many times over, which is why a visitor will notice such a variety in designs and architectural styles.

Despite the grandeur of Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, sultans and various other royalty began to favor an area on the Bosporus coast, and before long, new palaces were being built in the area. In 1856, the royal court, under the orders of Sultan Abdul Mecid, was officially moved to the much newer Dolmabace Palace.

What Awaits Those Who Visit The Palace

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is immensely popular among tourists, so visitors can expect to see the grounds awash with people strolling about taking photos and etc. It is however worth remembering that not all of the palace buildings are open to the public, but in truth, it makes no difference because so many of them are of little to no importance all.

There are literally hundreds of rooms, outbuildings, and so on, and if all of them were open, it would take you several days to see everything. Also, if the entire palace was opened to the public, it would prove to be a monstrous task for those who are responsible for its security.

The most important and most interesting parts of the palace are all open, and some of the rooms are home to priceless historical artifacts, including the actual cloak and sword of Mohammed. One could spend days looking at the various collections and displays, and still not see everything.

Unlike other museums however, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul would still continue to attract just as many visitors even if all the relics and artifacts were removed. The reasons for this being, the buildings, including the small kiosk style building themselves, are all museums in their own special way.

The Palace Sultans

As mentioned further up the page, Topkapi Palace served as the residence of several sultans over a period of roughly 400 years. It is thought that about 30 different sultans lived in this striking imperial residence, with the first being Sultan Mehmed II. Other prominent sultans who lived in the palace include Sultan Suleiman I, Sultan Selim II, Sultan Selim III, Sultan Ibrahim, Sultan Abdulmecid I, and Sultan Murad III.

Notable Exhibitions

With so much to see at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, where does one begin. As a general rule of thumb, visitors typically spend some time exploring the lush gardens before entering the Topkapi Palace Museum itself. Bear in mind that the entire complex measures several hundred thousand square meters, although much of this is of no great significance for the average tourist.

For most visitors, a visit to Topkapi Sarayi, as it is also known, begins in the first courtyard.  From there, the proceed to the second chamber where one can visit the palace kitchen, or kitchens which once fed up to 4,000 people per day. The palace kitchens are home to a large collection of fine Chinese porcelain which is one of the highlights for many visitors.

There is also a collection of fine European porcelain on display. The sultans favored both Chinese porcelain and European porcelain, so expect to see a remarkable collection during your visit to the Topkapi Palace Museum.

Moving on to the third chamber, visitors ca view the Pavilion of the Conqueror which house a breathtaking collection of treasures, including the Spoonmaker’s Diamond which is one of the largest diamonds in the world.

In the second courtyard, you will also find a small mosque and a bath that was reserved for Beşir Ağa, the chief black eunuch of Mahmud I. Be sure to also check out the Audience Chamber and Imperial Council Chamber which is a truly impressive domed chamber which was beautifully decorated with 18th-century Kutahya tiles and other decorative tiles.

Conclusion

From the moment visitors step through the entrance gate, also known as the Imperial Gate, they suddenly find themselves in the midst of a bygone era; in the midst of the great Ottoman Empire. From the original palace school to the beautifully decorate dining chamber where powerful sultans enjoyed the finest food, there is just so much to see at the Topkapi Palace Museum.

Admire a vast collection of arms, several breathtaking thrones, and so much more. Visit the dormitory of the sultan’s chief eunuch, the awe-inspiring Harem, and then enjoy a stroll in the Harem gardens. The palace’s rich designs, floral designs gold designs and classical style are guaranteed to leave a lifelong impression on you. Get ready to be transported back through time!

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul – Frequently Asked Questions

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Last Updated on May 6, 2025