About the Palace

"The Topkapi Palace was not merely a residence, but the brain and heart of a colossal empire that spanned three continents."

The Imperial Residence

Construction began in 1459, ordered by Sultan Mehmed II, the Conqueror of Byzantine Constantinople. For the next 400 years, this sprawling complex served as the administrative center and primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans. It is a city within a city, separated from the rest of Istanbul by high walls.

UNESCO World Heritage

In 1985, Topkapi Palace was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It stands as the finest example of Ottoman palace architecture, featuring a series of four courtyards surrounded by high walls, each serving a different purpose, from public administration to the Sultan's private life.

At its peak, the palace was home to as many as 4,000 diverse people, functioning as a self-sustaining entity with its own mosques, hospital, bakeries, and mint.

Architectural Philosophy

Unlike European palaces of the same era, Topkapi is not a single monumental building but a collection of pavilions, kiosks, and gardens. This reflects the nomadic origins of the Ottomans—a petrified military camp where function dictated form, and nature was integrated into the living space.