Topkapi Palace

Explore The Opulence of The Sultans at Topkapi Palace

It’s all very well and good reading about history, watching films, and trying to understand what happened when and how, but sometimes, you only have to see one thing and everything else clicks into place. For instance, you might not understand the sheer scale of the Non Camp at Barcelona, but you could read about the history of Barcelona FC and try and familiarise yourself. Only when you visit the Nou Camp for yourself, do you get to truly appreciate the scale and the importance of this huge sporting ground.

That might be a very odd examples when we’re talking about a place in Istanbul, but it’s a good way to explain the idea that we can’t understand something until we’ve seen as much of it as we can, with our own eyes.

Turkey as a whole was ruled by the Ottoman Empire’s Sultans for centuries, but their cherished home was in Constantinople, what we now known as Istanbul. They built their palaces, their summer homes, their entertainment centres, and they did it all in Istanbul. Many of these are still standing today, and that is what makes Istanbul the ideal place to visit if you want to really learn about the Ottoman Sultans in detail.

We mentioned visiting the Nou Camp for understanding your favourite football team, but when you set foot into Topkapi Palace, and the echoes of the past area all around you, it will feel like you’re right back there in time, dining with the Sultans themselves!

The History of Topkapi Palace

From many different parts of Istanbul, you can see Topkapi Palace. This is because it sits on the largest hill in the city, right on the edge of the Golden Horn, before the Bosphorus blends into the Marmara Sea. On top of that hill you will see various buildings which are all linked into one. This is Topkapi Palace, and it’s huge!

You can very easily spend more than three hours exploring this palace, however do be warned that it is one of Istanbul’s most famous sights, and therefore pulls in countless visitors every single day. You need to get there as early as possible in the morning to avoid the queue, or to avoid weekends and public holidays at the very least!

Topkapi Palace was built in 1461 as the home of the Ottoman Empire. It was a symbol of power and opulence, and it was ordered for construction by Mehmet The Conquerer. Of course, in 1853, the administrative side of the empire was moved to the newly built Dolmabahce Palace, but Topkapi Palace remained a favourite amongst Sultans for residential reasons, and for hosting various royal dignitaries from various international lands. Over the years the Ottomans ruled, Topkapi Palace was host to 22 different reigning Sultans.

In 1924, when the new Turkish Republic was formed, Topkapi Palace opened as a museum, to allow the general public to see the opulence and beauty of this ancient building for themselves. It remains to this very day one of Istanbul’s most visited sites, and really tells the story of one of the most famous and powerful empires in history.

What is Inside Topkapi Palace?

We mentioned that Topkapi Palace is big, and that means you really need to take your time exploring, to make sure you don’t miss anything!

There are four courtyards within the palace grounds, and within those courtyards you’ll see different exhibitions to explore. You’ll find various belongings from previous Sultans, relics from prophets, items of clothing from history, jewellery, weapons, basically everything you would expect to see from a royal palace throughout centuries of history.

The Imperial Treasury is one of the most popular spots within the palace, and as a result there can be a ‘bottleneck’ of visitors around this part. The Spoonmaker’s Diamond is on display in this area, and this is the 5th largest diamond in the world. It is made up of 86 carats, and sparkles like no other! The Room of the Relics of the Prophet is another very interesting and well-visited area.

The Harem section of the palace displays amazing Iznik tiles, which you will find in many of the buildings across Istanbul, dating back to the earliest Ottoman era. This part of the palace was also the private residence of the various Sultans and their family members.

This is just a snapshot of what you can expect to see inside Topkapi Palace, and it’s impossible to explain everything. This is s place which basically gives you the entire story of what it would have been like to live as a Sultan, or a member of a Sultan’s family, and will show you right there, in real time. You’re standing right in the middle of history.

Visiting Topkapi Palace

We’ve already touched upon the bad news, that is is a very busy place. If you can get around that however, you’ll be in for a real treat. Topkapi Palace is very easy to find, and you simply need to head towards Sultanahmet and follow the signs. You can do this via tram or on foot from Eminonu. Topkapi Palace is located around five minutes’ walk away from Hagia Sophia, almost behind it.

To go inside Topkapi Palace, you have a few options. The basic admission fee is 40TL, however that won’t show you all of the palace, and you won’t be allowed inside the Harem, which is the main part. The Harem costs an extra 25TL per person, so really the overall cost to visit Topkapi Palace is 65TL. Money very well spent! Children under 12 years can visit for free. Remember to pick up a map of the palace at the door, so you don’t miss anything.

Topkapi Palace is open every day apart from Tuesdays. Opening hours are 9am – 4.45pm from October until April (winter), and from 9am – 6.45pm from April until October (summer).  Regardless of the time of year you visit, you will be guaranteed a magical and historical experience.