Topkapı Palace

The construction of Topkapı Palace began shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 under Sultan Mehmed II. Initially, a first palace was built elsewhere, but from 1459, a new residence emerged on the Sarayburnu promontory. This complex, completed in 1468 and incorporating parts of the Byzantine Mangana Palace, received a protective defensive wall in 1478. Thus, the essential structures of the palace were already established in the 15th century, making it an important architectural testament to the Renaissance. The palace was expanded to its current form through extensive renovations and additions until the early 18th century. It served as the main residence for all Ottoman rulers until Sultan Abdülmecid I moved into the Dolmabahçe Palace in 1856. The Topkapı Palace, originally known as the “New Palace,” received its current name in the 18th century, derived from the palace's own cannon foundry.

The Topkapı Palace is located in Istanbul, in the province of İstanbul, in the Marmara region, Turkey. It stands at an elevation of approximately 49 meters above sea level on a prominent promontory between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara.

Today, the Topkapı Palace is a museum accessible to visitors. The complex presents itself as a sprawling site with multiple buildings and gardens, divided into four courtyards. The museum houses an impressive collection of Ottoman art and artifacts, including porcelain, manuscripts, portraits, garments, jewels, and weapons. Additionally, Islamic relics such as the weapons of Mohammed and early Quranic copies are on display.

• Hagia Sophia (sacred building), approx. 0.6 km away
• Dolmabahçe Palace (residence), approx. 3.3 km away
• Çırağan Palace (residence), approx. 4.5 km away
• Beylerbeyi Palace (residence), approx. 5.8 km away