|
Topkapi Palace |
|
 Mehmet
II who conquered the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire
when he was just 21, relocated the center of the Ottoman State
to Istanbul and thus continued the city's legacy as an imperial
capital.
Topkapi Palace, which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1478,
witnessed the following 400 years of the Ottoman dynasty until
the construction of Dolmabahce Palace in 1853. Topkapi Palace
continued as the administrative center of the state including
the imperial archive, treasury, and mint. The Imperial Divan,
which corresponds to the present day Council of Ministers, met
at Topkapi Palace. "Enderun, which was the higher education
institution of the Empire and "Harem. of the sultans were also
located in this palace.
|
|
|
Topkapi Palace which encompassed 700,000 square meters is the world
oldest palace that contunius to stand today. In contrast to other
royal residences, it constantly had new section added and restored.
In this regard Topkapi Palace is like a living organism.
The Palace which become neglected after the dynasty moved to
Dolmabahce Palace, was completely restored and turned into a museum
following the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Topkapi
Palace is a typical Turkish Palace and consist of several courtyards
shaded by trees and seperated from each other through monumental
Gates. The palace buildings are situated around four courtyards. |
|
|
Parade Court |
 The
Imperial Gate, which is known as "Bab-i Hümayun, has been used since
the reign of
Mehmet the Conqueror. This main gate opens to the First Courtyard
where some significant buildings, such as the Istanbul Archeological
Museums complex, the Church of Hagia Irene, and the Imperial Mint
are located.
The Alay Kiosk, from which the sultans watched parades, is situated
around the Tiles Kiosk, known as Çinili Kösk,which is a part of the
Archeology Museum complex and is one of the first buildings
constructed by Mehmet the Conqueror. "Gulhane Parki” which was the
large imperial gardens area that housed many animal and plant
species during the Ottoman period and is a park open to the publice
today, is located next to Alay Kiosk. The Goths Column, which was
ereeted to celebrate the victory against the barbarian Goths by the
Romans in the 3rd century AD, is located in this park as well.
Located on the seashore, the Sepetçiler Kasri, the pavilion used by
the palace guards during the Ottoman period, has a splendid
panoramic view.
|
|
|
Divan Court |
 The
Middle Gate, known as "Babusselam" which means the Gate of Greeting,
is the official gate of the Topkapi Museum today. There were many
administrative buildings of the state and of the palace in the
Second Courtyard to which this gate opens. On the right side of the
Second Courtyard are the imperial kitchen buildings where many
dishes were prepared for thousands of people every day and where
large and extravagant tables for celebrations were set on special
occasions, Today, these buildings are used as museums and
photography and fabric conservation studios. Rich porcelain and
glass collections of the palace are also exhibited here. The Divan
Chamber, known as "Divan-i Humayun" where Divan meetings were held,
is also located in the Second Courtyard. The single tower of the
place is also situated here. Because legal decrees of the state were
discussed and ordered of the meetings of the Divan, this tower was
called the tower of Justice. All of İstanbul and its harbour can be
seen from this tower. Receptions of the ambassadors and diplomats as
well as state ceremonies also took place in the Second Court during
the Ottoman period. For these ceremonies, where up to 10,000 people
attended, the imperial throne was placed in front of gate located at
the other side of the court.
|
The Third Court Enderun Court |
The Gate of Felicity (Babussaade) opens to the Third Courtyard where
Divan Square, Enderun, and the sultan's residences are found. In
front of this gate some of the most important ceremonies and
religious festiyals were celebrated here for centuries. Here it was
a ceremonial tradition to deliver the imperial flag to the Grand
Vizier before a war.
Around the third courtyard of the palace there are buildings that
were used by the sultans, such as their mosques, hammams, ete.
"Enderun", which acted like an imperial university, is also located
here, as well as the Sultan Ahmet III Library which was the first
officiallibrary of the Ottoman state. The Privy Chamber (known as
"Arz Odasi"), which is situated just opposite of the Gate of
Felicity, was quite an important place where the sultans directed
the administration of the state. it is also where foreign
ambassadors were received. Meetings with state administrators and
commanders of military campaigns were also held here. One of the
most prominent buildings located in the Third Courtyard is the Holy
Relics Apartment within which the sacred trusts belonging to
Mohammed and the Kaaba are found on display today. The building
contains such holy relics as the Prophet Mohammed's cloak and hairs
from his beard. The walls of the iner chamber, where the publie can
view but not enter, is decorated with Ottoman porcelain.
|
The Fourth Courtyard |
After passing the corridors beyond the Third courtyard you find
yourself in the Fourth courtyard, which is full of pavilions set in
the garden. Among the pavilions and kiosks is the sole wooden
payilion of the palace; the Baghdad and Revan kiosks, which are full
of magnificent porcelain and glass works of the 17th century; and
the Mecidiye Kiosk, which was the last construeted building of the
palace. The first floor of the Mecidiye Kiosk serves as a restaurant
for visitors. The terrace in front of the Baghdad Kiosk is the best
and most convenient place to view the spectacular panoramas of the
Golden Horn, Galata, and the domes and minarets of old Istanbul all
at once. The hillside gardens of the palace have been turned into a
large city park open to the public.
|
|
|
|
Anatolian Kavak and Lighthouse