The Topkapı Palace of Istanbul

The Gate of Salutation , Topkapı Palace, in Istanbul, Turkey
The Gate of Salutation, only the Sultan could enter on horseback.

The Topkapı Palace stands just behind the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and is where, after the fall of the Roman Empire to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, the sultans and their courts lived for four hundred years.

Once conquered, the city’s name was changed once again, and Turkey was ruled from Istanbul.

The Imperial Gate, Istanbul, Turkey in Topkapı Palace
The Imperial Gate, built in 1498.
Hagia Irene inside Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, Turkey
Built in the 4th century, Hagia Irene (Holy Peace) was the first church built in Istanbul sits in the outer courtyard of the palace.

The Imperial Council

The Imperial Council, Istanbul, Turkey
The Imperial Council, or Kabbbeali, where the viziers held meetings.

The Topkapı Palace in Istanbul

The Sultan's Window in the Imperial Council, Istanbul, Turkey
The Sultan sat behind the Golden Window (right, with the grill) and the ball represents the Earth.
The dome of the Imperial Council, Istanbul, Turkey
The dome
Detail of the porch outside the Imperial Divan, Istanbul, Turkey
The porch outside The Imperial Council.

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The Topkapı Palace in Istanbul

When the Ottoman Empire ended after World War I and Turkey became a republic, the capital was moved to Ankara and the palace became a museum of the imperial era.

We were rightly amazed by some of the items on display. The sultans had quite a collection of jaw dropping jewels, among them a gold box filled of emeralds, multiple ruby and diamond handled swords and daggers, and the highlight, the Spoonmaker’s Diamond, one of the largest in the world at eighty-six carats.

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey

The view of Istanbul from Topkapi Palace

Across the courtyard there are perhaps even more valuable treasures, a plethora of holy relics from Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

Among them, the oldest known copy of The Koran, several bits of Muhammad’s beard, a cloak and a sword also said to belong to the prophet, a staff that Moses carried, and bones of John The Baptist.

We cannot show these since no photos were allowed, so some things must be taken on faith.

Very apropos where relics are concerned, and while we are prone to take the authenticity of most with a grain of salt, a little research showed that at least some, particularly the ones attributed to Muhammad, may be genuine.

Lattice on windows in Istanbul
Outside of the palace we spied many windows with wooden lattice. We were told this was so women could look out onto the street and maintain privacy. Another man called it a harem window.

Thanks to Princess Cruises for inviting us along and providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own. See our entire Mediterranean voyage aboard the Royal Princess here

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Want more Istanbul? Click here to see our entire adventure!


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