Topkapı Palace General Information

Welcome to Topkapı Palace.

This palace began by order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. It was built between 1460 and 1478. For many years, it was the heart of the Ottoman Empire. The sultans lived here. The empire was also ruled from here.

Each Ottoman sultan left a mark on the palace. Some built new rooms and homes. Some brought precious treasures. So the palace became richer and richer over time.

The name Topkapı means “Cannon Gate.” This name came from a shore pavilion at Sarayburnu. Sarayburnu is the point of land where the palace stands. The pavilion was called the Cannon Gate Shore Pavilion. It had this name because Byzantine cannons stood near its gate. That summer pavilion and its gate did not survive.

Until the 19th century, the palace had other names. One name was Saray-ı Amire, meaning the Imperial Palace. Another name was Saray-ı Cedide Amire, meaning the New Imperial Palace.

On April 3, 1924, Topkapı Palace became a museum. This was done by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Long ago, the palace had gardens and small pavilions around it. It covered 700,000 square meters. Today, the museum part covers 80,000 square meters. The palace has hundreds of rooms. It carries many stories, many cultures, and many old traditions.

One of the most important gates is the Gate of Salutation. Its old name is Bab-ı Selam. This gate led to the second courtyard. Only the sultan could pass through this gate on horseback. Ordinary citizens could not enter this part of the palace.

The second courtyard was called the Justice Square. It was also called the Divan Square. The word “Divan” means the council of the empire. This was a very important place for state business.

The palace kitchens and their service buildings were part of this courtyard. The stables were also connected with this area. A tall building called the Tower of Justice rose here too. From this tower, there was a wide view of Istanbul.

Near the tower was the Imperial Council. Its old name was Divan-ı Hümayun. It was also known as Kubbealtı, meaning “under the dome.” This was where the empire was governed. Decisions made here could affect lands far beyond Istanbul.