Topkapi Palace Facts

Situated in a prime location in the Fatih district, the Topkapi Palace undoubtedly enhances Istanbul's allure. Visitors get to witness the magnificent view of the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait from the palace. The palace was built on an elevated platform which made it easy for the Ottoman rulers to defend their city. Due to its ideal and lofty location, the Topkapi Palace offers breathtaking views of the city, attracting tourists all around the year. The Palace is easily accessible by various public transportation.

Read More: History of Topkapi Palace

Out of all the facts about Topkapi Palace, the most interesting fact is that there used to be a Roman landmark exactly where the palace is standing. Dating back to the 5th century during the Roman era, a Byzantine acropolis was built on this elevated platform that was used for military purposes. Later, it was turned into a castle for the Romans to protect the city. In 330 AD, the castle was named Constantinople after the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. Due to its prime location and significance, Constantinople was made the capital of the Roman Empire. The remains of this same structure were used as the foundation for the famous Topkapi Palace. Recently, a Roman Gallery was discovered underneath the First Courtyard of the Palace that attested to the site’s historical significance. 

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The origin of the Topkapi Palace dates back to the 15th century, specifically to the year 1459. The construction of this royal residence for the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire was ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror. Apart from being the royal residence, the palace also served as a center for political as well as administrative activities of the empire for over 400 years. There is rich history in every nook and corner of the palace that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. 

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One of the most astounding Topkapi Palace Facts is that the palace houses a Byzantine Church from the Roman eras. Even though all the other structures of that era were demolished, this magnificent church still remains unchanged. It is believed that this old church was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I during the 6th century. Despite the cultural and historical significance of this church, it was never used for religious services. Instead, it was used as an imperial armory and warehouse till the 19th century, which is the sole reason why it survived. The church consists of stunning frescoes and impressive mosaics that depict religious scenes. Today, it has been turned into a museum within the palace where visitors can admire the remarkable artworks and architecture of the Roman era.

There are a dozen fascinating Topkapi Palace facts and one of them is that this palace had the largest kitchen in the history of the Ottoman Empire. A huge structure like the Topkapi Palace required a huge kitchen that would be sufficient to cook food for the royal family and their guests. This kitchen cooked food for all the royal members, the guests as well as for the attendants and staff of the palace. The palace kitchen consisted of twenty chimneys and eight hundred kitchen staff who would cook for approximately four thousand people at a time. Today, the museum consists of a collection of more than ten thousand pieces of Chinese porcelain that reflects the Sultan’s fascination for the art. Surprisingly, it is considered to be the largest porcelain collection outside of China.

Read More: Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace Combo

The majestic Imperial Gate is locally known as ‘Bab-ı Hümayun’ in Turkish. This is the main entrance of the Topkapi Palace that will lead you towards the insides of the palace. It is a grand and impressive gate that perfectly fits the role of being the main entrance of a royal palace. As the gate gave the first impression of the palace, the Sultan made sure that it was majestic enough to impress the visitors. The Imperial Gate that reflected the power and wealth of the Ottoman Empire was made of stones and features detailed carvings and decorations. As you pass through this main entrance, you will get to witness the stunning views of the royal palace.

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One of the lesser known Topkapi Palace facts is that the palace has undergone multiple name changes throughout its history. Originally, the palace was given the name, ‘Saray-i Cedid-i Amire’ which meant ‘Imperial New Palace’. This name was given to distinguish it from the Old Palace in Beyazit Square, which is now the location of Istanbul University. The palace was given its current name, ‘Topkapi Palace’ meaning ‘Cannon Gate Palace’ during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I. The Palace was used as the imperial treasury, library and mint during this period even after losing its importance. The changes in its name reflected the evolving role of the palace throughout history. 

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Suleyman the Magnificent was the longest ruling Ottoman Sultan who ruled from 1520 to 1566. Under his reign, the Ottoman Empire expanded rapidly that reflected its growing power. Alauddin from Persia, also known as Acem Ali was the chief architect during this period. Among all the Mehmed II's successors, Suleyman made the most changes to the palace during his long reign. Gradually, after all the inclusions, the palace expanded into a massive structure with various courtyards, gardens, apartments and the Harem. Today, the Topkapi Palace is spread over an impressive area of 700,000 square meters.

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On your tour, you will come across the stunning ‘Gate of Salutation’ which is commonly known as the ‘Middle Gate’. This gate is one of the Topkapi Palace’s most intriguing and awe-striking architectural features. It leads towards the Second Courtyard as well as allows access to the main palace. The construction was completed around 1465 during the reign of Mehmed I although the final appearance was given during the reign of Suleyman, around 1525-1529. The Middle Gate held major significance and served as one of the principal checkpoints of the palace. Another interesting fact is that only the Sultan could ride his horse through this gate and no one else was given permission to do so. 

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The tallest tower of the Topkapi Palace is called the ‘Tower of Justice’. This tower stands out from the other modest structures of the Palace and can be easily seen from the nearby lake. The tower was first constructed in the 15th century by Mehmed II which was later extended by Suleyman the Magnificent between 1527-1529. The lantern on the top of the tower was added by Sultan Mahmud II in 1829 while the rest of the structure remained intact. Visitors are allowed inside this tower that has now been turned into a museum. The tower houses some exciting showpieces like The Spoonmaker’s Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger inside this tower.