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Topkapi Palace |
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Topkapi Palace |
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Museum Contact and Visiting Information |
Topkapi Palace contain many treasury areas where a glittering collection of treasures are kept. The treasures consist of enthronement gifts, gifts of ambassadors, purchases of the Sultans themselves and items brought back as booty from succesful military campaigns, especially those added during the reign of Selim the Grim.
The kitchens contain the palace's colection of ceramics, glass and silverware. Turkish, European and Chinese pieces of porcelain are the most important part of the collection among which Chinese porcelain overshadowed the others. The palace has the most valuable collection of Chinese and Japanese porcelain in the world after China itself. The palace contains a total of 10.700 Chinese pieces, ranging from the late Sung (13th century) and the Yuan dynasties (1280-1368), through the Ming (1368-1644) to the Ch'ing period (1644-1912). A number of these are now on display in the Palace Kitchens.
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 Chinese dish Qing dynasty, 17th century. |
The armory contain outside-tents, swords and several bows, iron swords used by European crusaders, Ottoman chain mails and shields. The curved battle sword of Mehmet the Conqueror., complete with the scratches and nicks incurred during his many military campaigns, along with his talismanic shirt, which was worn under armor or ceremonial court robes, the diamond encrusted suit of chainmail designed for Mustafa III, the dagger of Mehmet IV, a fine example of 17th century craftsmanship, are some pieces in the exhibition.
The Imperial costumes of the sultans can also be seen in the museum. Kaftans and flalvars designed and tailored for ceremonial and ordinary use are displayed as well as a perfectly reserved kaftan once worn by Mehmet the Conqueror.
 Kaftan of Murat IV (1623-1640) |
Topkapi Palace contains a collection of over 13000 miniatures and manuscripts;
several examples of calligraphy such as the map of Piri Reis which is
the oldest known map that includes the continent of America; the richest
collection of Korans in the world which comprises texts of the Koran inscribed
during the 7th - 19th centuries. There is a saying that: " The Koran
was revealed in the Hijaz, recited in Cairo and inscribed in Istanbul.
Calligraphy was used not only in manuscripts, but as architectural decoration,
and some of the finest examples of Turkish calligraphy are to be found
on inscription friezes on domes,walls,faience revetments and hanging panels
and plaques.
European clocks and musical instruments given to or brought by various sultans; thrones of the sultans such as the ebony throne of Sultan Murad the IV; Turkish and Iranian pots, vases, and water jugs; sacred relics such as bamboo bows and swords of the first four Caliphs and other religious leaders, soil from the grave of Prophet Mohammed; candelabras, broaches, rings and other jewelry items owned by sultans and viziers and many more wonders can be seen in Topkapi Museum.
 The Topkapi dagger |
 Swords belonging to the Prophet Muhammad |
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The
diamond is said to have been discovered by a poor fisherman in a
rubbish heap and was sold to a merchant for three spoons. It is
for this reason they say that the diamond's name became the Spoonmaker's
Diamond.
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