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Topkapi Palace (also known as the Seraglio) is one of the main attractions in the historic section of Istanbul, Turkey. It's located just behind the famous Hagia Sophia mosque. The name "Topkapi" means cannon gate. It was the sultans' palace and, though it expanded over the centuries, and was the sultans' main residence in the 15th & 16th centuries, it also began to lose its importance after the 17th century. (The sultans eventually built and took Dolmabahce Palace a bit farther up the Bosporus as their main residence, living there until the fall of the empire around World War I.) With the fall of the Ottoman empire in 1923, the new Turkish republic turned Topkapi Palace into a museum, by decree, in 1924. It still serves as a museum, and is definitely worth visiting. Admission is just over 20 euro, but includes admission to the harem (women's private quarters) which is well worth the visit.
The palace dates back to the 15th century. The Ottomans finally defeated the Byzantines and their empire dates to 1453, with Istanbul as its center. The palace, on order of the sultans, began construction in 1459.
It consists of four courtyards, each roughly the shape of trapezoids getting smaller in size as you move from front to back.
The first courtyard is guarded by the Imperial Gate (the main gate seen from outside the palace). It's a tall, imposing gate, originally from 1478, with marble added around the central arch in the 19th century.
The first courtyard (which is actually free to enter) is the largest, and also has the fewest structures. Most have been destroyed or removed. The structures that remain are the Imperial Mint and Hagia Irene church (which predates the palace...and predates Hagia Sophia...so I'll give it its own history and description on a separate post). The first courtyard was the Parade Court and the only one where the public was generally allowed. The ticket booth for palace admission is at the back of the first courtyard on the right side (near the gate of the second courtyard).
Speaking of which, the Gate of Salutation separates the first and second courtyard. It's smaller than the Imperial Gate, but distinct for its two turrets. General thought about the second courtyard (Divan Square) is that it dates back to about 1465, and received its final (and current) appearance during the rein of Suleyman the Great in 1525 or so.
The second courtyard has a bit of an enclosed park feel to it. During imperial times, peacocks and gazelles would be found here. The structures that enclose the second courtyard are the palace kitchen (on the right), Janissary (the sultan's infantry) quarters, stables, and the former palace hospital. The Tower of Justice is the dominant feature of the second courtyard, and is behind the Imperial Council Chamber.
The Gate of Felicity is the entrance to the third courtyard, or the Inner Court.
It was built during the 15th century and redecorated in rococo style in 1774. The Inner Court has the private and residential areas of the palace.
The third courtyard is the heart of the palace. It's surrounded by the Hall of the Privy Chamber, the harem, and the Library of Ahmed III. The Audience Chamber is the main structure that dominates the interior of the inner court. It's also called the Chamber of Petitions, and the main throne is here. Surrounding the courtyard are the quarters of the page boys (basically eunuchs). The eunuchs learned the arts, music, calligraphy, and painting.
The Conqueror's Pavilion, located at the back left of the third courtyard, houses the Imperial Treasury.
The fourth courtyard was the most private part of the palace and the exclusive domain of the sultan and his family. Historically considered part of the third courtyard (there's now main gate differentiating it from the third like there are for the other courtyards), it is now called the fourth courtyard.
The fourth courtyard is the smallest and consists of the Circumcision Room, Yerevan Kiosk, Baghdad Kiosk, Iftar Kiosk, Terrace Kiosk, Tower of the Head Tutor/Chief Physician, Grand Kiosk, Stone Throne, and Terrace Mosque.
The palace also had its outer gardens, running all along the western side, which is now Guhlane Park (and it, too, will have a separate description and album, namely because it is now a city park and can be visited completely independently from the palace proper).
All in all...this palace is something everyone who visits Istanbul should visit and, maybe even twice. To really take it all in would take a good chunk of a day. Just be prepared for large crowds, so come as early as possible.