Topkapi Palace
About Topkapi Palace
Topkapı Palace is the residence of the Ottoman Sultans and the administrative and educational center of the state. Sultan II, the conqueror of Istanbul. Ottoman sultans and palace people resided in the palace, which was built by Mehmed II between 1460 and 1478 and some additions were made over time, until the mid-19th century. Topkapı Palace was converted into a museum by the order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on April 3, 1924, after the Ottoman monarchy was abolished in 1922.
Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Topkapi Palace
After the conquest, Fatih Sultan Mehmed had a palace built in Beyazıt, where today's Istanbul University is located, which would later be known as the "Old Palace". After this first palace, Fatih built first the Tiled Pavilion and then the Topkapı Palace, where he would settle when its construction was completed. Fatih gave this palace the name "Saray-ı Cedid", which means "New Palace" in Ottoman Turkish. The reason why the New Palace was called Topkapı Palace was as follows: When the large wooden coastal palace, built by Sultan Mahmud I near the Byzantine walls and called "Topkapusu Coastal Palace" because of the salute cannons in front of it, was completely destroyed in a fire, the name of this palace was given to the new palace.
Topkapi Palace Architecture
Ottoman state philosophy and Palace-subject relations played a major role in determining the plan of Topkapı Palace, which developed and grew for centuries. In addition, when Topkapı was first built, Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror's father, Sultan II. It is known that Murad was inspired by the plan as well as the magnificence of the Edirne Palace, which was built by the Tunca River and only ruins of which survive today.
Topkapi Palace is a modest palace; The major expenditures of the empire were mostly made for magnificent mosques, barracks, bridges, caravanserais and accommodation facilities. Even Mimar Sinan, the famous architect of the 16th century, built only one section of this palace. But the palace's unique buildings, exquisite tiles and structure intertwined with nature, as well as its location in Sarayburnu, give it a natural beauty and magnificence.
Topkapı Palace Sections
Plan of Topkapı Palace; It consists of apartments reserved for state affairs among various courtyards and gardens, buildings and mansions that are the residence of the ruler, and buildings for the officials living in the palace. Built on the Byzantine acropolis in Sarayburnu, located at the tip of the Istanbul peninsula, between the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, the Palace is surrounded by 1400-meter-long high walls called "Sur-ı Sultani" from the land and by Byzantine walls from the sea. The area covered by the palace is approximately 700 thousand square meters.
Alay Square, Hagia Irene, Bâb-ü's Selâm, Bâb-ı Hümâyun, Divan Square, Kubbealtı (Divan-ı Hümayun), Justice Pavilion, Foreign Treasury, Zülüflü Baltacılar Lodge, Hask Barns, Beşir Ağa Mosque and Bath, Palace Kitchens, Babüssaade. , Sukhum Castle Inscription, Enderun Courtyard, Supply Room, III. Ahmed Library (Enderun Library), Fatih Mansion (Enderun Treasury), Treasury Ward, Privy Room and Sacred Relics Department, Ağalar Mosque, Kilerli Ward, Aviary and Harem Gate, Privy Room Ward/Sultan Portraits, Fourth Courtyard, Circumcision Room, Revan Mansion , Baghdad Pavilion, Iftariye Gazebo (Moonlight), Sofa Pavilion, Sofa Mosque, Mecidiye Pavilion, Hekimbaşı Room / Baş Lala Tower, Garment Room, Harem, Cupboard Dome / Harem Treasury / Haremeyn Treasury, Sofa with Fountain, Kara Ağalar Masjid, Kara Ağalar and Kara Ağalar Stony, Cümle Kapısı, Valide Stony, Women's Apartments, Valide Sultan Apartment, Hünkâr and Valide Sultan Baths, Hünkâr Sofası, III. Murad Has Room, Ahmed I Has Room, Yemiş Room / III. Ahmed Has Room, Çifte Kasırs / Crown Prince's Office, Altınyol, Concubines and Female Masters' Stony, Favorites and Mabeyn's Stony, Cars' Gate / Girls' Gate, Watch Place and Concubines' Corridor are among the sections of this magnificent building.
What are the Collections in Topkapi Palace Museum?
The extraordinarily rich collections of Topkapı Palace and its history woven with extremely interesting stories make this palace one of the most worth-seeing palaces in the world. Imperial Treasury, European Porcelains and Glasses, Copper and Tombac Kitchenware, Chinese and Japanese Porcelains, Silverware, Mantle of Saadet and Sacred Relics, Istanbul Glass and Porcelains, Sultan Clothes, Sultan portraits and painting collection, Weapons are among the valuable collections exhibited in the museum. .
Source Türkiye Culture Portal History of Istanbul