Topkapı Palace

      One of the most extensive and fascinating  monuments of the Ottoman architecture  

is the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul,  and apart from its architectural  

and historical importance it contains, as a  museum, extraordinary collections of porcelain

armor, fabrics, jewels, manusc

ripts, calligraphy,  and many other objects of art belonging to  

the sultans of the time. A casual visit requires  several hours, to know it throughly many weeks,  

but in today's video, we'll give you  a quick tour through its interior.

After entering the complex through the "Imperial  Gate", we can find the first courtyard. This was  

the only courtyard open to public and where  people could celebrate special occasions.

Here  we can also find the Hagia Irene which is  the oldest church of the Byzantine Empire.

The ticket to the palace is 100 Turkish liras  and the museum pat istanbul or Turkey are accepted.

This palace was the main residence  of the Ottoman Sultans of the time,  

starting from Fatih Sultan Mehmet II, also known  as "The Conqueror" until 1856, when the Ottoman  

administration moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace, and  a very interesting fact about the Topkapi Palace  

is that after the founding of the Republic  of Turkey, it was converted into a museum on  

April 3rd of 1924, having the distinction  of being the first museum of the Republic. 

it was built at the northern end of the first  hill which once was occupied by the ancient  

acropolis of Byzantium. its name means "canon gate"  and it took it from the main sea-gate full with  

armaments in the defense wall surrounding it.  This palace wasn't only the private residence  

of the sultan and his court it was the seat  of the supreme executive and judicial council  

of the empire and it housed the largest of the  training schools for the imperial civil service.

This is one of the most beautiful sections in  the palace, here is the entrance to the harem but  

for this, if you want to discover and explore what  the harem looks like, then we will be leaving the  

link to our video about the harem somewhere  up here.

The first hall was a wooden building but throughout the centuries it underwent many  restorations.

Here the state affairs were discussed, it was also used for the Grand Vizier's reception of ambassadors, and wedding ceremonies of sultan's daughters.

Here we can find many weapons used by  the Ottoman army, those made especially  

for the sultans and artifacts gathered from  foreign conquests. This is one of the richest  

collections of islamic weapons in the world  with examples from the 7th to the 20th centuries.

Two of the most fascinating treasures of  the palace are the Topkapi dagger which  

was a gift from sultan Mahmud I to Nadir Sha of Persia in 1741, and the 86 carat diamond  

considered as one of the most valuable  in the world "The Spoonmaker's diamond".

Here meals for around five thousand palace  staff were prepared every day.

The palace kitchens also produced soap and herbal  medicines for the sultan and his family.  

We can also see a large exhibition  of kitchen utensils, a silver gift  

collection, as well as a large collection  of porcelain from different dynasties.

This is the most important gate in the  Topkapi Palace, the name is the "Gate of Felicity",  

and here is what the sultan used to make the  most important celebrations in the palace.

No one could pass this gate without  the permission of the sultan.

The small stone on the ground marks the place  where the banner of prophet Muhammed was unfurled.  

the grand Vizier or the commander going to war was  entrusted with this banner in a solemn ceremony.

Built in the 15th century is the place where the  

sultan would sit in his throne  and receive foreign ambassadors  

as well as viziers who would present the sultan  the decisions taken by the imperial council.

This is the heart of the palace and is also  known as "the inner palace", here we can find  

the quarters of the "ağas" where they were also  thought art calligraphy, music, and painting.

It houses what are considered to be the most  sacred relics of the Muslim world. We can see  

the cloak of prophet Muhammad, two swords, a bow, one tooth, a  hair of his beard, and many other important relics.

This area is adorned with many kiosks or  pavilions covered with outstanding tiles,  

gardens, and terraces.

It was a private sanctuary of the sultan and his family.

Here we can also find a  beautiful gilt-bronze canopy  

called "Iftariye" erected by sultan ibrahim in 1640.

It was built to commemorate the  Baghdad campaign of Murat IV after 1638.

It was built during Sultan Suleiman's  period and underwent many restorations  

until it acquired its current  aspect during Sultan Ibrahim I  

reign, it is where the circumcision  of young princes was taking place.

Some of the most beautiful views that we can  have from here the palace are definitely here  

on the fourth courtyard, and as you can see  behind me we can have amazing views from the  

sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus strait and the  bridge, and even the Asian side of the city  

especially Kadikoy, just enjoy these beauties.