Topkapı Palace Museum

Topkapı Palace, the imperial residence of the Sultan, his court and Harem, was also the center of the
state administration. The Topkapı Palace was the Ottomans’ second palace in Istanbul. Its construction was started in 1459 and completed in 1478. As each succeeding sultan ascended to the throne, he added parts to the palace, indicating to us the different tastes and styles of architecture of four centuries. The changes were made for reasons of practicality, to commemorate victorious campaigns, or to repair damage caused by earthquakes and fire. The Topkapı Palace housed each of the Ottoman Sultans from Sultan Mehmed II to Sultan Abdülmecid, covering nearly four centuries and 25 Sultans. In 1924 the palace was turned into a museum.

Categories

• Historical landmark

Special Interests

• Hippodrome
• If you have only one day in Istanbul
• Sultanahmet Area

Location