Topkapi palace. Topkapi Palace in Istanbul - the mysterious residence of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire and a real treasure

Previous photo Next photo

In 1479, by order of Sultan Mehmed, the Topkapi Palace was built, which until the middle of the 19th century was the main residence of the Turkish padishahs. Today it is one of the richest museums in the world and one of Istanbul's favorite attractions.

Topkapi Palace was erected on the site of more ancient palace Byzantine rulers, on the very coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara.

"Topkapi" (sometimes pronounced Topkapi) translates as "cannon gates", the name is not accidental, since every time the sultan left his residence, a cannon shot had to be heard.

What to see

Topkapi is a whole palace complex with an area of ​​seven hundred thousand square meters, consisting of four separate courtyards, stretching for five kilometers. There was a shelter, a treasury, a sofa (something like the Turkish government), an armory (located in the building of the Church of St. Irene, the main cathedral of the Constantinople princes), a bakery, the Sultan's stables, a luxurious garden and flower terraces with fountains, in some distance was The tiled palace where the concubines lived.

The palace staff numbered about five thousand people - over a thousand people worked in the kitchen alone.

Quiz: how well do you know Turkey? | 15 questions:

Architecture

The architecture of the palace is quite diverse, different styles are mixed here, because the palace was repeatedly destroyed due to fires or earthquakes, and then it was rebuilt anew, each time making certain adjustments. In 1856, a new residence was erected in Istanbul, which corresponded to the spirit of the times and was somewhat inferior in color to the Topkapi Palace, but since then only the wives of the once first statesmen have lived here. In 1924, when Turkey acquired the status of a republic, the palace was turned into a museum.

Interiors and collections

Now there are exhibits that were once the pride of Turkish padishahs. In particular, in the museum you can see almost the most unique collection of porcelain - only twelve thousand items, including white porcelain products, the only ones in Europe. There are also various kitchen utensils, silver tableware, precious jewelry of the sultans and their wives, and even thrones made of precious woods, completely covered with gold, decorated with ivory, pearls and other precious stones.

Due to the lack of space in the Topkapi Museum, only the most valuable exhibits of the collection are exhibited, in total there are more than sixty thousand of them (only the Romanov and Habsburg dynasties left behind a richer legacy). In addition, there are also the relics of Jonah the Baptist, the staff of Moses, before which, according to legend, the depths of the sea parted, the sword of David and the brazier of Abraham.

How to get

The museum is open from 9:00 to 19:00 at summer time and until 16:00 in winter, closed on Tuesday. Entrance ticket price - 72 TRY; harem - 42 TRY.

Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul: guided tours in Russian, ticket price 2020

Another of the key attractions of Constantinople, and there are really many of them, such key ones, is the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. In this article, we will gladly tell you its centuries-old history and share various practical information... For example, we will tell you about excursions to Topkapi, their prices and schedule, and if you want to visit the palace on your own, then about the cost of entrance tickets, as well as where you can buy them cheaply in advance, so as not to wait in a potentially impressive line! Make yourself comfortable and let's get started. 😉

History of Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is the former residence of 25 Ottoman sultans who ruled the country from here for 400 years, from 1465 to 1853. Currently a popular attraction.

The construction of the palace was started by order of Mehmed the Conqueror and was formally completed in 1479, although in fact the construction continued for a long time, and the number of annexes to the palace grew and grew. The total area of ​​the palace grounds was ultimately 700,000 square meters.

The palace consists of several buildings with four courtyards connected by a gate. The main entrance is the Imperial Gate located on the side. The first courtyard includes the imperial mint of the 18th century, the Church of St. Irene, with the armory and the fountain of lamentation housed in its building. Opposite the Imperial Gate is the Greetings Gate leading to the second courtyard and palace. From the Gate of Greetings, you can go to the Gate of Happiness, through which visitors to the palace enter the third courtyard, which houses the harem, inner chambers, the Hall of Audiences, the library of Sultan Ahmed III and the school of the Palace, where government officials were trained. Then you can go to the fourth courtyard, which is the personal garden of the Turkish Sultan, where the Bashlal tower, the Sofa mosque, the circumcision room and the room of the chief palace doctor are also located. From here open beautiful views to the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.

In 1854, Sultan Abdul-Majid I changed his residence to a new one, just built. Well, Topkapi Palace since 1923, by order of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, has been opening its doors as a museum. The number of exhibits presented to the public is 65,000 units, and this is only a tenth of the museum's collection.

Opening hours, entrance fees, Topkapi official website

Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 from November 1 to April 15; from 9:00 to 19:00 from April 16 to October 31. The day off at the palace is Tuesday.
Visit cost in 2020: the palace itself - 72TL (Turkish lira), the harem in the palace - 42TL. How to book tickets online so as not to stand in lines at the box office read below.
Topkapi official website: https://topkapisarayi.gov.tr/en

Topkapi Palace on Istanbul map

How to get to Topkapi Palace on your own

The palace is located in historic center Istanbul - Sultanahmet district. If you rented a hotel nearby, which in the case of a short-term trip will be the best solution - you don't have to spend extra money on travel to the main attractions, then the easiest way to get to the palace will be on foot. By the way, look for a selection of inexpensive but high-quality hotels near Topkapi Palace in our article -. Well, to get to Sultanahmet from other parts of the city, you will need to take a tram to the Gülhane Parkı stop, from where the palace is just a stone's throw through the park of the same name.

If you don't want to deal with city logistics during your vacation with everything, then you can always take excursion tour around the city with a visit to the Topkapi Palace as well. This is very convenient and allows you to significantly save time.

Excursions to Topkapi Palace in Russian - prices 2020, where to buy

Topkapi Palace can be visited, both independently, by purchasing tickets online or at the box office, or as part of one of the excursions. The easiest way to book excursions to Topkapi Palace in Russian is by using the services of a popular tourist service. All the excursions you find there are conducted Russian speaking guides for small groups of tourists, which is very convenient.

TOP-3 excursions to Topkapi Palace

• 1st place —

  One of the main attractions that tourists will see during this sightseeing tour of Istanbul will be Topkany Palace. In it, with the help of a Russian guide, it is easy to find out how and how the rulers of the Ottoman Empire lived. The chronicle of the palace has 400-year chronicles, which mention the names of 25 sultans. The guide will tell only about the most outstanding ones, as well as offer to admire the interiors of the palace and its authentic treasures. The program will be complemented by the majestic Sultanahmet Mosque, the Hippodrome Square, where the history of Istanbul was born, the Hagia Sophia Cathedral - a mute witness to the "golden age" of the Byzantine Empire and the mystery of the Basilica cistern.

  Excursion cost - 140 € for 1-4 persons.

• 2nd place —

  While exploring the Topkany Palace, you will find yourself inside the "magnificent age" of the Ottoman Empire. You will stroll through the intimate chambers and examine the exquisite interiors of the palace's chambers, as well as look into the holy of holies - the harem to find out what the concubines of the sultans dreamed of. Before visiting the Topkany Palace, visit the Hippodrome Square to trace the history of the fall of the Byzantine Empire and learn about the popular entertainment of the inhabitants of Constantinople. And after examining the palace, you will find out who saved the Cathedral of St. Sophia from destruction, why the Blue Mosque became the symbol of the city, what made Suleiman the Magnificent and what is immured in the minaret of the Sulaimaniyah mosque.

  Excursion cost - 120 € for 1-5 persons.

• 3rd place —

  Once in the treasury of the Turkish padishahs - the Topkany Palace - you will find out what made Mehmed II order the construction magnificent palace on the shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara. You will visit the armory, a harem, a storage room for jewelry, a library with ancient manuscripts. The guide will help you to introduce the events that took place within the walls of the palace during its 400-year history. At the exhibition of handicrafts made of precious stones, porcelain, gold and silver, talk about techniques for creating wonderful masterpieces, and then you will have time to stroll through the wonderful gardens and parks of the palace complex. Supplement sightseeing tour in Istanbul visiting the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Cathedral, Hippodrome Square with its Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and German Fountain.

  Excursion cost - 90 € per person.

Other interesting excursions for Istanbul look in our special article -.

How to buy a ticket to Topkapi Palace online

Almost all the sights of Istanbul are highly busy during the season from May to September, which can be an obstacle for those who want to get around as soon as possible. more places, due to the permanent presence of queues at the checkout. The situation can be saved if you buy tickets to Topkapi Palace online yourself. Or buy an Istanbul Welvome Card / Museum Pass, which includes tickets to several places at once - so you can save a lot! So, let's sort out the existing proposals. 😉

Topkapi Palace is literally in the midst of all the most interesting in Istanbul, so after finishing its inspection, you definitely won't have to think long about where to go next. And we, with your permission, will direct you a little. 🙂

1. If you are tired while visiting the palace, then good place for rest after it will be, where you can sit in a cafe or just take a walk in the shade of trees.

2. After relaxing in the park, you can head towards Sultanahmet Square, around which the most popular sights of Istanbul are located. For example, the most famous mosque in the city is. The big plus of Blue Mosque is that it is absolutely free to visit.

Topkapi Palace is a magnificent architectural monument of the 15th century. This magnificent palace complex was erected at the initiative of Sultan Mehmet in 1479. For several centuries Topkapi was considered the main residence of the rulers of the Ottoman state. Today it is beautiful museum complex, which should be seen by everyone who has ever visited Turkish lands.

The name "Topkapi" in translation into Russian means "cannon gate". This name is justified by a historical fact: whenever the padishah traveled outside his monastery, cannon shots were heard, which spread around the area for several kilometers.

The palace architecture is extremely interesting. Topkapi includes 4 equal courtyards at once, each of which is famous for its unique attractions. The courtyards are clearly divided, but they are all united by the surrounding high stone wall.

First courtyard (Alay Meydanı)

One of the main attractions of the First courtyard, called by the Europeans the "Courtyard of the Janissaries", is the Church of St. Irene. This is one of the first Christian relics of Constantinople, serving for a long time as the main abode of the patriarch. The church suffered several times from various calamities (fire and earthquake), but it was invariably restored. Even after the arrival of the Ottoman conquerors on these lands, the church building was not deprived of the Orthodox status, which is surprising, because the Turks usually reworked christian temples in the mosque. Ottoman warriors for a long time (for 3 centuries) used the shrine as an armory. In the middle of the 19th century, a museum complex of antiquities and weapons was opened here.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the museum exposition was disbanded, and today the Church of St. Irene (Aya İrini or Ayia Irene) is increasingly exploited as a concert venue due to its magnificent, mesmerizing acoustics. At the same time, the structure has not lost its charm over the years and continues to attract tourists from all over the world.

Gate of greetings (Babüsselam)

Of particular interest is the Horta Kapa Gate (Babüsselam or the Gate of Greetings), also located in the First Courtyard. Through them you can get to the Second Palace Courtyard. Historical facts testify that through the arch of these gates, framed by two tower columns, only the ruler himself had the right to enter on horseback. The rest had to go on foot. Foreign guests of the residence used to enter the other gate. This was closely followed by the gatekeepers. On one side of the gate was a waiting room, in which visitors could wait for days or even weeks for an audience with the padishah. On the other side is the executioner's room, who, by the way, had one more position - the chief gardener. Under the gates, in the dungeon, there were prison cells in which prisoners sentenced to death were kept.

Sultan's Entrance (Babıhümayun)

It is also interesting to admire the architecture of another gate leading to the First Courtyard. This is the third ceremonial gate called the Sultan's Entrance (Babıhümayun).

Second courtyard (Divan Meydanı)

Topkapi's second courtyard is known as the “Divan Square”. This area was used most often for important state receptions and ceremonies.

Sofa (Divan-ı Hümayun)

This courtyard housed the Divan (Kubbealtı or Divan-ı Hümayun), where high-ranking viziers, led by the padishah, gathered several times a week to decide matters of state importance.

Tower of Justice (Adalet Kasrı)

Above Divannaya there is a tower of splendid beauty and grandeur bearing a very bright and capacious name - "The Tower of Justice" (Adalet Kasrı), which originally served as an observation post.

Treasury (Dış Hazine)

The main asset of the Second Courtyard of Topkapi after Divnaya is, of course, the Treasury (Dış Hazine). Today, an arms museum complex was founded in its building, which displays a whole arsenal of weapons from various historical periods, as well as samples of military uniforms and other paraphernalia used for uniforms.

Third Yard (Enderun Avlusu)

Third Courtyard (Enderun Avlusu)

Another gate leads to this courtyard with the attractive name "Gate of Bliss". Their other name is the audience gate. Passing through them, the visitor entered a huge throne room, over which towered the padishah's golden throne, adorned with precious stones. The sultan sat on it. All others were traditionally placed directly on the floor, on special pillows. So that you could not hear what is happening in the hall outside the door, a small but loudly murmuring fountain was erected right next to the entrance.

Library of Ahmed the Third (III. Ahmed Kütüphanesi)

The central part of the courtyard is decorated with the library of Sultan Ahmed the Third (III. Ahmed Kütüphanesi). Once upon a time, real treasures of ancient literature were kept here. Today the books are on display in other museums, but the library building is definitely worth a visit for the amazing Ottoman architecture. Here you can also see an amazing collection of padishah's wardrobe items. One of the most expensive exhibits is the children's caftan of Sultan Selim, as well as the attire of Mehmed the Conqueror, which, according to scientists, is more than 5 centuries old.

Treasury of the Sultan (Enderun Hazinesi)

But, of course, the most attractive place for a traveler in the Third Court of Topkapi is the Sultan's Treasury (Fatih Köşkü or Enderun Hazinesi). The variety of the collection of countless treasures of gold, silver and gems is amazing! Mustafa III's military armor is considered one of the most notable and expensive exhibits. The chain mail, made of iron, is decorated with a scattering of precious stones and covered with a layer of gilding. The shield and sword of the Sultan are inlaid in the same way.

Throne of Padishah

The throne of Padishah Murat the Fourth is called the real "pearl" of the treasury. It itself is made of rare ebony, and precious and semiprecious stones are scattered around its entire perimeter.

Dagger Topkapi

In another room, there is another important exhibit - the Topkapi dagger (Topkapı hançeri). It was made by Turkish masters as a present to the Persian shah. Many diamonds and several large emeralds adorn this dagger. True, he never got to the addressee. While the gift was on the way, the Shah was killed, so Topkapi's dagger returned back to the treasury.

Diamond Kashikchi

The treasury also contains a huge Kaşıkçı elması diamond, the history of which is very interesting. According to legend, a poor man discovered this stone in a huge pile of rubbish. Of course, the commoner did not know how valuable the gem is, and exchanged it at the bazaar for 3 wooden spoons. Since then, the stone has been called the Spooner's Diamond.

These are far from all the exhibits of the Topkapi treasury. All the splendor of the rooms is difficult to describe in words, you need to see it with your own eyes at least once!

Fourth courtyard (Dördüncü Avlu)

Fourth courtyard (Dördüncü Avlu)

This courtyard is an example of harmonious beauty and tranquility. It was built exclusively for the rest and solitude of the padishah, therefore it looks more like a wondrous Garden of Eden. From here, magnificent views of the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Princes' Islands open up.

Bagdat Pavilion (Bağdat Köşkü)

On the territory of the courtyard there are many terraces and pavilions, the most notable of which are the Bagdat and Revan pavilions, as well as the Sunnet room.

Sünnet Odası

The Sünnet Odası room, as the name implies for those who have at least a superficial understanding of Muslim traditions, was intended for the compulsory circumcision of the Sultan's heirs.

Revan Pavilion (Revan Köşkü)

The Baghdad Pavilion (Bağdat Köşkü) as well as the Revan Pavilion (Revan Köşkü) are magnificent monuments of Ottoman architecture, in whose appearance the influence of the Persians can be traced. The buildings are light and elegant, but at the same time they look luxurious and monumental. The exquisite tiles that adorn the walls of the pavilions literally from top to bottom can be looked at for hours and found in them more and more new details.

Opening hours of the Topkapi Palace Museum and cost of attendance in 2020

You can purchase tickets for Topkapi Palace, which provide skip-the-line entry, a plan of the palace and the necessary information from a representative who will guide you in the shortest way

The museum is closed on Tuesdays, and on the first day of Bayram it is open from lunchtime.

Entrance fee is 72 Turkish Lira.

The entrance to the Harem is open every day except Tuesday and is paid separately - the ticket price is 42 Turkish lira.

For holders of the Museum Card - admission is free.

Audio guide - 45 TL.

During the winter period from October 2 to April 1: Topkapi Palace Museum, Harem and St. Irene Church are open from 09:00 - 16:45 (ticket sales until 16:00)

V summer period 1st April to 2nd October: Museum, Harem and Church of St. Irene are open from 9:00 am - 6:45 pm (ticket sales until 6:00 pm)

The Church of St. Irene is open to the public from 9:00 to 17:00. Entrance fee is 30 Turkish liras. The ticket office closes after 16:00.

When visiting religious sites, try to adhere to the established rules of dress: short shorts and miniskirts, as well as open blouses and strapless tops are not welcome.

Strollers are not allowed in the museum.

Several restaurants are open on the territory of the museum.

Karakol Restaurant

In the First Courtyard there is the Karakol Restaurant, as well as the small cafe BKG Müze'nin Kahvesi. There is also such a cafe in the Second Courtyard.

Konyalı restaurant (Konyalı lokantası)

In the Fourth Courtyard, there is the Konyalı Lokantası restaurant, which offers a magnificent view of the Bosphorus.

How to get to Topkapi Palace:

From Sultanahmet station, walk past the front of the Hagia Sophia Museum (Hagia Sophia), following the signs towards Topkapi Palace.

Istanbul (Topkapi Sarayi) is one of the main attractions of the city. For 400 years, Topkapi Palace was the main residence of the sultans. From it 25 sultans of the Ottoman Empire ruled the country.

In one of the courtyards of the Topkapi Palace

A bit of history

It was built after the conquest of Constantinople in 1475-1478 by order of Sultan Mehmed II (the Conqueror). At first, the Sultan himself lived in the palace, official meetings and meetings, receptions were also held here, and in the middle of the 16th century, at the request of Roksolana, Sultan Suleiman I built a Harem in the palace, where women and children settled.

How to get there

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul is located in the center of the old city in the Sultanahmet district.

• Travel by tram T1 to the Gulhane stop and go up a little, as if going back. By the way, there is a beautiful one nearby. Or get off at the Sultanahmet stop and walk down past Hagia Sophia.
• If you are coming from the Asian side of Istanbul, it is convenient to use Marmaray and get off at Sirkeci station

Topkapi Palace opening hours

Opening hours of Topkapi Palace:

• from 9:00 to 16:45 from October 2 to April 1, ticket offices close at 16:00
• from 9:00 to 18:45 from April 1 to October 2, ticket offices close at 18:00

The construction of Topkapi Palace was started in 1460 by order of Sultan Fatih after the conquest of Constantinople. The construction site was located next to the Hagia Sophia mosque. The construction was completed in 1478, after which the palace was used as an administrative, educational and art center Ottoman Empire over the next four 4 centuries. Topkapi Palace was surrounded by Gulhane Park, hiding it from city structures. The total area of ​​the Topkapi Palace is small - only 30 hectares. On this territory, four Topkapi courtyards were sequentially located, protected by fortress walls. In the middle of the 19th century, the sultan dynasty moved to the more modern Dolmabahce Palace. The old Topkapi Palace loses its functions on April 3, 1924 and turns into the first museum of the Republic of Turkey. The collection of 300,000 items of the museum has unique cultural values, including porcelain, silver and gold, portraits, weapons, jewelry and gifts, as well as the imperial treasury.

First courtyard at Topkapi Palace

Bab-i-Humayun is the main monumental gateway to former palace Topkapi in Istanbul. Now admission is free, but on schedule. On the left is the Church of St. Irene (the prototype of the Cathedral of St. Sophia). Alai Square, located in the first courtyard, is the largest in the palace and is surrounded by external service buildings, in the past - bakery, workshops, hospital, etc. All ceremonies took place on Alai Square, for example, the return of the Sultan from a military campaign. The Church of St. Irene was converted into a weapons storage and a military museum. Also on the right in the first courtyard are the ticket offices where entrance tickets to Topkapi Palace are sold.

Second courtyard in Topkapi Palace

The Gate of Greetings (Babüsselam) is the second monumental door leading to Topkapi Palace. At the moment, you can only enter it by entrance ticket or the map MuseumPass. The inner part of the courtyard (Divan Square) for many centuries served as a ceremonial center in the life of the Eastern Empire. State decisions were made in a special building - Divan-Hyumayun. The Tower of Justice rises nearby. Attention should be paid to the exhibition of weapons. Finally, in this courtyard there is an entrance to such an important structure as a harem, with its own cash stall (be sure to take an audio guide in Russian with you).

Third courtyard at Topkapi Palace

The Gate of Happiness (Babüssaade) led to the third courtyard of the palace. Behind them was the courtyard, the personal territory of the Sultan in the Topkapi Palace. There was a personal mosque Agalar, Ahmed-library and the treasury of the empire. Entry here was strictly limited, however, VIPs and guests were honored to be received in the audience hall. In addition, the courtyard had its own observatory and a school for training the nobility. Today the most interesting museum exhibitions are located here. Experienced tourists go straight to the third courtyard in the morning to avoid the tedious hour-long lines.

The museum's reserves are the most interesting expositions. Attention is drawn to the Kashikchi diamond, an incredibly large size; a box filled to the brim with large emeralds; dagger Topkapi, which has no price from the number of precious stones; various orders and decorations of the sultans; the true throne of Sultan Suleiman Qanuni. It is difficult to make a high-quality photo because of the fast movement and the menacing shouts of the museum staff. However, we have found some interesting photographs for you.

Photos of the things of the sultans (artifacts) in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

Fourth courtyard at Topkapi Palace

The fourth courtyard of the palace was the place where the Sultan's recreation and walking areas were concentrated. From each of the three sides, picturesque views of the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Bosphorus and Khalich were opened. On the territory there were small private green recreation - the Fig Garden and the Elephant Garden. In addition, from here it was possible to go to Gulhane Park (in the area of ​​the Got Column). The fourth courtyard was decorated with two marble fountains. But the real decoration is the pavilions, in which the ruler of the empire could rest with his retinue, without fear of being seen. The austere beauty of the tea kiosk is still striking. Hungry visitors can dine in a small restaurant with a wonderful view of the Marmara Sea and the ships sailing along it.

How to get to Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, buy a ticket worth 40TL Turkish Lira. If you want to visit Harem, you'll have to fork out another 25TL. The entrance to the cathedral is located within the borders of the Fatih district, on the historical peninsula of the Turkish metropolis. You can use the metro, tram and Marmaraya lines to get to the museum from anywhere in the city. After getting off at the Sultanahmet tram T1 stop, follow to the Hagia Sophia Museum, skirting around it on the right, walk to the first, the Imperial Gate. For those who use Marmarai, to come to the museum from the Asian part of the city, get off at the Sirkeci station stop and follow the Cağaloğlu-Vilayet exit. Next, take tram T1. If you come to personal transport, leave it in the numerous parking lots in the Sultanahmet area or right in front of the first gate to the palace.

Entrance fees to Topkapi Palace?

To enter Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, buy a ticket worth 40TL Turkish Lira. If you want to visit Harem, you'll have to fork out another 25TL. The entrance to the Cathedral of St. Irene costs another 20TL. In other words, the total costs per person fly away for 1000 rubles. Tickets can be purchased in cash if you wish using a credit card. Children under the age of 18, adults over 65 and the disabled can visit Topkapi Palace Museum free of charge. you can find detailed information about who can visit the museum for free on the official website of the museum. If you do not want to waste time standing in line (sometimes up to 30-40 minutes), especially on holidays and weekends, purchase a MuseumPass card, which entitles you to free admission to the museum and others. special discounts... However, the card does not work for entering the Harem!

Photo of a number of structures in Topkapi Palace in Istanbul