Marsa's Blog: Turkey Pleasure Tourism, Topkapi Palace

The History of Topkapi Palace

Topkapi Palace is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, which is the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign.

Topkapi Palace is the administrative center of the kingdom which makes it the most important historical sites to visit in Istanbul. It is one of the most visited museums in Europe and certainly the most visited in Turkey with more than 2.5 million visitors per year.

The Topkapi Palace is the largest palace of the kingdom of the Ottoman Empire or called by the Ottoman Sultan and is home to over a period of nearly 400 years between the years 1465 to 1853. The interest is fading Topkapi palace, after the Sultan would rather spend time in the new palace that is in Dolmabahce Palace located on the shores of the Bosphorus strait. In 1856 Sultan Abdul Mecid I move residence in Dolmabahce Palace is a palace in the style of European buildings.

During the period of 1856-1924, the Topkapi Palace is used for the accommodation of government officials, and by government decree dated April, 3 1924 the palace into a museum and in 1985 was one of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Topkapi Palace was built in 1459 on the orders of Sultan Mehmed II. Aside from being a place to stay is also a place for state occasions. Some of the buildings surrounding the palace and garden field. The building include a weapon, treasure room, dining room, harem, Sultan room and guard towers.

The Sacred Relics

Sacred Relics is relics of the Prophet Muhammad, among others, is the cloak or coat, beard hair, sword and footprints Prophet carved in stone on a mirror. There was also a prophet Daud's sword and the sword of the companions (Umar, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Ustman bin Affan) and clothes Caliphate, the key to the Ka’abah etc. In this space audible recitation of the holy Qur'an.

At the time of the Ottoman Caliphate, the sacred relics in the form of relics of Apostle Muhammad SAW, his family and friends, since 1517 was brought to Istanbul and stored in Hirkai Serif Odasi (Chamber of the Holy Mantle), which is part of the Topkapi Palace building. Stuffs sacred relics are kept in a special room in the Topkapi by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror.

Four Parts

Topkapi Palace building is divided into four major sections separated by three main gate. In the first part of the castle there is a church built by Romans.

Nevertheless, the building is now used as a theater. In addition to function as a museum, the palace is also used for opera performances every summer during the International Festival of Istanbul.

In the vicinity of the Topkapi Palace complex, which is surrounded by a wall along five kilometers and four lush gardens, also built a variety of other complementary buildings, such as Hareem section, pavilion, kitchen, meeting rooms, and military barracks. The fifth building is located in the second part of the palace.

And the most important part of the complex is the harem section. In the form of an apartment building here, the wives and mothers of the sultan of Turkey, residing. The wives are taught how to dance, embroider, and played several musical instruments.

In addition to the sultan, the wives who came from various countries this may not be visible to others. They are heavily guarded by guards. If you want to enter the Palace Hareem you have to pay again for 15 TL.

The biggest rooms are in the harem of Topkapi Palace section. There is also a room that is used for secret meetings. In this room there is a water fountain to trick the sound during the meeting.

In the third part of the Topkapi Palace there is a school for pupils aged 10 years. All the children were selected by the sultan from various parts of Turkey. While the residence of the sultan was in the fourth region. This place is usually used sultan to break their fast on the first day of Ramadan.