First Courtyard and The Imperial Gate

The Imperial Gate is called Bâb-ı Hümâyun. It was the main entrance to Topkapı Palace. This gate was built in 1478.

A fountain stands near the gate, facing Hagia Sophia. Sultan Ahmed the Third ordered this fountain in the early 18th century.

The writing on the Imperial Gate praises the sultan. It calls him the son of Murad. It says he is the ruler of two continents. It says he rules over two seas. It calls him the shadow of God in two worlds. It says he is the help of God in the East and the West. It calls him a hero of the sea and the land. It also calls him the conqueror of Constantinople. The writing ends with a prayer. It asks God to protect him and make him higher than the Pole Star.

Topkapı Palace has three courtyards. The first courtyard had many useful buildings for palace life. One of them was the bakery. This was where bread for the sultans was baked. There was also the old imperial mint, where money was made. Many workshops and store rooms once stood here too. Only some of them have survived.

One very old building in this area is the Byzantine church of Hagia Irene. It dates back to the 6th century. The Ottomans kept it well. Later, it was used as an arsenal, a place to store weapons.

The second courtyard was also called the Justice Square. This was an important place for palace ceremonies. The Janissaries, the special Ottoman soldiers, received their wages here every three months. The cavalrymen, the soldiers on horses, were paid here too.

The sultan came to the second courtyard only for very special moments. One was the ceremony when he became sultan. Another was the celebration of important festivals.

A portrait of Sultan Selim the Third shows one of these grand palace scenes. In the picture, imperial officials congratulate him before the Gate of Felicity, known as Bâb-ı Saade. This portrait is currently on display in the gallery of the museum.

Sultan Selim the Third was also a music composer. He composed a love song.