Topkapi Palace(Topkapi Museum, Topkapi, Topkapi Palace Museum)

This place is a worth visiting. So many historical collections and stories. Highly recommended. You would need to walk a lot to fully explore Harem and Topkapi together.

The design of Topkapı Palace draws on the essence of Byzantine, Persian, and Islamic art. Iznik tiles, predominantly in blue, green, and red, cover the walls with geometric and floral designs. Kündekari (wood inlay) and calligraphy further enhance the symbolism of imperial power. As the administrative center of the empire for nearly 400 years, Topkapı Palace witnessed the key events of the Ottoman Empire, from its rise to its fall. In 1985, Topkapı Palace, along with the Historic District of Istanbul, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as a vital window into Ottoman history, society, artistic achievements, and daily life.

📍Topkapi Palace - the power center of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years, one of the top ten palaces in the world. The core attractions are the Hall of the Holy Relics (holy relics of the Prophet Muhammad), the Strait Terrace (overlooking the Bosphorus, the boundary between Europe and Asia) and the luxurious harem (extra charge). A half-day in-depth tour is required, and the ticket price is relatively expensive (about 950 liras). It is recommended to rent an audio guide to avoid a cursory visit. 💎Simplified tips: - A must-see for history lovers: The Relic Hall in the third courtyard is shocking, no photos are allowed, but the on-site chanting ceremony has a strong sense of ritual; - Go straight to the scenery party: the terrace of the fourth courtyard, a panoramic view of the strait + Galata Tower in the same frame; - A guide to avoid pitfalls: Buy a separate ticket for the harem (about 25 liras), and the entrance is easy to miss; there are many ticket bundling routines, so buy a museum pass first.

As an iconic attraction in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace combines the glorious history and artistic essence of the Ottoman Empire. The following comprehensive comments are for reference: ‌History and Cultural Value‌ Topkapi Palace was the power center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 500 years (1465-1853). It was home to 25 sultans. It is now the largest museum in Turkey. It houses countless national treasures, Islamic relics and royal treasures. It can be called the "Forbidden City of the Ottoman Empire"‌12. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Its architectural complex includes four courtyards, a harem, an audience hall, etc., showing the perfect fusion of Islamic and Ottoman styles‌13. ‌Core Highlights‌ ‌Treasures and Exhibitions‌ ‌Jewelry Exhibition Hall‌: It displays gem-studded sabres, tableware, scriptures, etc. It is especially famous for a giant diamond and a "bed covered with gems", which is described by tourists as "rich and inhumane"‌2. ‌Religious relics‌: It houses Islamic calligraphy manuscripts, Sultan relics, etc. The Holy Relics Hall is an important sightseeing spot‌13. ‌Architectural details‌: Such as the marble-inlaid colonnade of the Baghdad Palace and the inner palace courtyard of the Gate of Auspicious Omens, which are of great artistic value‌3. ‌Scenic advantages‌ The palace is located on the high ground of the Bosphorus Strait, overlooking the Sea of ​​Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Asian area on the opposite bank. The garden has a wide view and is excellent for taking photos‌34. ‌Tourist experience‌ ‌Tickets and time‌: Tickets are 1,500 liras (about 345 yuan), and at least 3 hours of visit are required. It is closed on Tuesdays. Free Chinese guides require a passport or $100 to be pledged‌2. ‌Tourist evaluation‌: Positive: Most tourists think it is "superb", with rich exhibits such as "Alibaba Treasures", and the architecture and strait scenery are shocking‌24. Negative: The ticket price is relatively high (compared with the Forbidden City), and some facilities such as the guides have typos‌2. ‌Practical suggestions‌ ‌Visiting route‌: Enter from the Imperial Gate (first courtyard), visit the Gate of Reverence (second courtyard), the Gate of Auspicious Omens (third courtyard) and the Treasure House in turn, and finally go to Baghdad Palace to enjoy the sea view‌3. ‌Surrounding facilities‌: There are Western restaurants (such as the popular NUSR-ET steak house) and shopping spots nearby, but please note that the straight-line distance is far‌4. ‌Summary‌ Topkapi Palace is a paradise for history lovers and photographers. Although the ticket price is expensive, its unparalleled treasures and strait views are still worth a special visit. It is recommended to avoid Tuesday and reserve half a day for an in-depth tour‌12.

A more formal palace After the Blue Mosque, we came to the Old Palace. The Old Palace is the last attraction of Istanbul's group tour. It is located next to the Bosphorus Strait. In the garden, you can see the scenery on both sides of the strait and the ships crossing the strait. Although it is an old palace, it may be well protected or renovated, so it does not look old. You cannot take pictures inside the Old Palace, you can only take pictures at the door or in the garden. The garden is quite large and the green plants are also beautiful. But it may be that I have seen too many palaces, temples, and ruins of this kind before, and I am a little aesthetically fatigued. The New Palace corresponds to the Old Palace. It may be that the tour guide said that the New Palace the next day is much better in order to promote the self-funded one-day tour. However, I checked that the tickets for the New Palace are very cheap. We don’t have time to go there. If we don’t take a one-day tour with the group, we can also visit it by ourselves.

This is a very worthwhile attraction. You should plan at least half a day to visit it, otherwise it is not worth the money. You can take photos inside and outside. What impressed me most was the large number of jewelry and watches inside. It was like Alibaba discovered a treasure. There were too many to count. Outside, it was close to the Bosphorus Strait and the scenery was great.

The Topkapi Palace is very big and has beautiful scenery. Walking inside, you can see a seaside corridor with an unbeatable sea view. You can also take pictures of Galata Tower, especially when the sun is shining! However, the ticket is 1700 lira per person, which is more expensive than the New Palace. If you can only go to one, I must recommend the New Palace!

Topkapi Palace, from 1465 to 1853, for nearly four centuries, has been the official residence and main residence of the Ottoman Sultan in the city, with about 4,000 people living in the past. After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapi Palace was turned into an imperial museum by government decree on April 3, 1924. The magnificent palace Topkapi Palace Museum, located at the top of the Istanbul Peninsula, is a microcosm of the glorious history of the Ottoman Empire. Topkapi Palace is a shining pearl of the glorious history of the Ottoman Empire. Since it was built by Sultan Mehmed II in the 15th century, it has not only been the political center of the Ottoman Empire, but also a palace of culture and art. Centuries of expansion and renovation have made Topkapi Palace a museum integrating history, culture and art. The construction background of the palace is closely linked to the conquest of Istanbul. In 1453, Mehmed II led the Ottoman army to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, renamed it Istanbul, and decided to build a new palace there. Topkapi Palace came into being and became the new power center of the Ottoman Empire.