Topkapı Palace had been the house of the Ottoman dynasty in Istanbul for more than four centuries. The palace consists of four courtyards surrounded by 5th century Roman walls across the coastline of the peninsula overlooking to the Bosphorus. As visitors step into the next courtyard, they get closer to the heart of the palace: the Sultan.  

The first courtyard welcomes the visitors with a large garden with the institutions where a “common people” in the empire are allowed to enter. This courtyard has the largest garden. In the Ottoman era, people gathered here for major ceremonies, including funerals and military parades. Every Friday morning, the courtyard also hosted a grand procession as the sultan, guards, ministers, and senior officials made their way to the mosque for congregational prayers.

Passing through the Gate of Salutation, you enter the Second Courtyard, once the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire. Its rooms and halls housed the empire’s political, financial, and bureaucratic offices, as well as the palace kitchens. The courtyard also provided a grand setting for important ceremonies, from welcoming foreign ambassadors to celebrating enthronements and religious holidays. Ottoman armies gathered here before setting out on military campaigns. In the last and fourth courtyard, the palace hosts the magnificent pavilions built in the 19th century with an inspiration from the Western architecture.     

One of the most striking features of the palace is the residence of Sultan and his family, named Harem. Harem is the central place of the government and the Ottoman tradition with an intense instruction.  Far from serving as a simple private residence, the Harem shaped both the dynasty’s future and the empire’s political life.

Topkapı Palace requires at least 2 hours for a complete experience. We recommend you to check out our Cogito audio guide, curated by local historians and experienced tour guides.