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Topkapi Palace |
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Topkapi Palace, the imperial residence of the Ottoman Sultans for four centuries, lies at the tip of the headland at the mouth of the Bosphorus Strait. In Byzantine times, monasteries and public houses belonging to the priests of Haghia Sophia stood on this site which is dominated today by complex of buildings forming Topkapi Palace. It is possible that the first builders of Topkapi Palace made use of existing foundations and retaining walls, hence the non-axial plan of the palace.Undoubtedly Topkapi involved a synthesis of Byzantine elements but what grew up on the peninsula by the Golden Horn cannot possibly be divorced from its predecessors in Ottoman history.
Shortly after his conquest of Constantinople, Sultan Mehmet II begun the construction of the palace as his principal residence. New additions and alterations continued until the mid-nineteenth century, leaving traces of the characters and styles of Ottoman Architecture between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries.With its gardens and pavillions contained by four enormous courtyards , surrounded by enormous high walls , the palace covered a vast area The last new building to be added to Topkapi was commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid who abandoned Topkapi for a new palace on the Bosphorus. Neglected thereafter, Topkapi Palace fell into disrepair. After the establishment of the Republic in 1923 it was extensively renovated and transformed into a museum, and ever since has been one of Istanbul's most popular sights.
 Topkapi Palace |
The first courtyard is the outer part of Topkapi Palace which was once a service area, housing the Ottoman Mint, a palace hospital, firewood stores, carriage houses, stables and a bakery.The first courtyard was open to the public, and a bustling place where janissaries, tradesman and others went about their business.The first courtyard opens to the second courtyard via the Gate of Salutations, the entrance to the palace.
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Haghia Eirene Within the first courtyard stands the church of Haghia Eirene, one of Istanbul's most ancient churches and the only Byzantine church in Istanbul with its atrium intact It was not converted into a mosque after the conquest but used as an armory by the janissaries. Subsequently it became a military museum and is now a venue for classical concerts.A narrow lane leading down the hill from the church takes you to Gülhane Park which was once part of the palace gardens. Halfway down the hills is the Tiled Pavilion and the Archaeological Museum, possessing one of the most outstanding collections in the world. |
The third courtyard encircled by arcades contains the Treasury ( Fatih Köskü ) where the gold and jewelled treasures of the Ottoman Sultans are displayed. Right behind the Gate of Felicity stands the Throne Room where the members of the Divan would submit their conclusions to the sultan. The Library of Ahmet III is situated behind the Throne Room. The Pavillion of the Holy Mantle contains holy relics brought from Egypt as well as a collection of calligraphy. The Imperial Hall built by Mehmet IV was where the sultans spent most of their leisure time.
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The Harem, the residence of the sultan's wives, concubines and children, is a vast labyrinth of rooms and corridors, only a part open to the public. The visitor's entrance is via the Kubbealti in the second courtyard. The most fascinating aspect of the Harem was the cloak of secrecy over life here. Virtually none of its inhabitants had the freedom to go out at will, and equally almost no one from the outside world was ever admitted. One of the loveliest buildings in the Harem is the Murad III Pavillion built by the renowned architect Sinan in 1578. |
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The Gate of Felicity The gate leads the second courtyard to the private inner areas of the palace, the third courtyard.Only the sultan was permitted to pass through the gate on horseback, and even on foot only a favoured handful of statesmen and trusted intimates could enter here. Only once in Ottoman history, during the rebellion which dethroned Osman II, did rebels dare to enter this gate. Ceremonies such as those held on a new sultan's accession were held in front of this gate, and it was here when the janissaries were simmering into rebellion that councils were held to discuss their demands. |
In the fourth courtyard stood many pavillions. The Bagdat Pavillion and Revan Pavillion, built for Murat IV, are outstanding examples of seventeenth century Ottoman architecture. Between the Baghdad and Revan pavilions is a marble terrace with a pool in the centre and an arbour with a gilded baldachin roof commanding a view over the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. The nearby Sofa Pavillion was built for Ahmet III in his tulip garden who used to occupt this area. The large Mecidiye Pavillion is the last building added to Topkapi Palace. Today it houses a restaurant. The Itfariye Pavillion command a magnificent view over both shores of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus.
 The Baghdad Pavillion |
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The Mehter Band The Mehter band, one of the very first military band in the world, used to play military marches during the Ottoman times and was usually associated with the janissary organization. The instruments used are shrill pipe, kös drums, kettle drum, bell and human voice. The music purposed to incite the own troops and to frighten the enemy. The members of the Mehter band used to play while marching. The step was called "the janissary step". They took three steps forward and then stopped and looked right and left. The musicians played and marched in an orderly manner. |