History of Topkapı Palace Museum
The Topkapı Palace Museum is in Fatih, İstanbul, on a hilltop overlooking the Bosphorus. Erected in 1460 and completed in 1478 by Fatih Sultan Mehmet following his conquest of İstanbul, Topkapı Palace served as the administrative center and official residence of the Ottoman sultans for four centuries during the 600-year Ottoman reign. On April 3, 1924, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk requested that Topkapı Palace be converted into a museum, and it became the first museum of the newly established Republic of Türkiye.
Once home to nearly four thousand people, Topkapı Palace today welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Artifacts in Topkapı Palace Museum
The Topkapı Palace Museum has an extensive – and noteworthy – collection. Some highlights of the Museum’s exhibits include the following.
Sacred relics: Sacred relics (Kutsal Emanetler) are considered the most significant artifacts housed in the Topkapı Palace Museum. The mantle, sword and bow believed to have belonged to the Prophet Muhammad are among the items displayed.
Topkapı Dagger: The Topkapı Dagger (Topkapı Hançeri) features emeralds and diamonds, as well as a concealed clock at its hilt. The object is considered one of the world’s most valuable daggers and beautifully reflects the Ottoman craftsmanship.
The Spoonmaker’s Diamond: The Spoonmaker’s Diamond (Kaşıkçı Elması), weighing 86 carats, is one of the world’s largest diamonds. The diamond, housed in the Topkapı Palace Museum as part of the Imperial Jewel Collection, is believed to have been cut in India during the seventeenth century.
The Throne of Mehmet the Conqueror: The throne of Mehmet the Conqueror (Fatih Sultan Mehmet’in tahtı) was regarded as one of the most magnificent in the Ottoman Empire. Covered in gold and silver and inlaid with gemstones, the Throne is one of the most remarkable artifacts in the Topkapı Palace Museum.
Hazine-i Hümayun (Royal Treasury): The Topkapı Palace Museum’s Treasury section displays valuable items such as jewelry, weapons and porcelain. Many of these objects were gifts from foreign dignitaries.
Architectural Features of Topkapı Palace Museum
The Palace Museum vividly illustrates the rich history and culture of the vast Ottoman Empire, featuring elements of Byzantine, Seljuk and classical Ottoman architecture. The Topkapı Palace Museum spans 700,000 square meters and was built with stone, brick, wood and marble. Tile, marble and carved wood elements are prominent decorative motifs, as is penwork, a decorative technique using images created with fine quill pens.
Where is Topkapı Palace Museum?
The Topkapı Palace Museum is on Bab-ı Hümayün Street in Sultanahmet, in İstanbul’s Fatih district. It is relatively easy to reach the Museum via the tram.
Topkapı Palace Museum entrance hours
Topkapı Palace Museum can be visited between 09.00-17.00 every day except Tuesdays. For more information on operating hours and entrance fees, please visit https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/Lokasyon/2/Topkapi-Palace.
