The Topkapı Palace (Turkish)

The Topkapı Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı) is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, that was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign.

Topkapi Palace

As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world, including Muhammed's cloak and sword. The Topkapı Palace is among the monuments contained within the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described under UNESCO's criterion iv as "the best example[s] of ensembles of palaces [...] of the Ottoman period."

The main Imperial Gate (Bab-i-Humayun) Topkapi Palace

Fountain, Topkapi Palace

Presentation room, Topkapi Palace

Breakfast Pavilion of the Sultans

View from Topkapi Palace

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