The Topkapi Palace served for more than four centuries as the imperial residence of the Ottoman household, including 24 Sultans in total. Abandoned as the imperial residence in 1853 by Sultan Abdulmecid I for the Dolmabahce Palace, in 1924 it was converted into a museum. It now houses an extraordinary collection of imperial treasures, including priceless porcelain,
jewels, armour, costumes, weaponry, miniatures, calligraphy, and other precious objects and works of art that once were imperial property.
When Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople in 1453, he found that what remained of the Byzantine palaces was uninhabitable. Thus one of the first tasks confronting the new ruler of this imperial city was the construction of an appropriate royal residence. First the Old Palace (Eski Saray) was built in the district of what is now called Beyazit in the environs of Istanbul University. A few years later the construction of the Topkapi Palace was undertaken on the First Hill of the city which overlooks the point where the waters of the Marmara Sea and the Golden Horn flow into each other.
Although the main buildings of this palace complex were completed sometime in the 1460s, new
sections were continuously being added even until the nineteenth century. There was no fixed plan for the overall construction of this complex, but rather it grew as need dictated. This palace served not only as the residence of the Ottoman ruler and his household, but also functioned as the seat of the Ottoman government. In addition to the residential quarters, the palace consists of four distinct courtyards which during the Ottoman period contained a variety of different institutions and buildings. The first court, which was open to the public, functioned as the service area of the palace. A bakery, imperial mint, treasury, hospital, storage space, as well as lodging for the palace workers and soldiers were found in : outer court. The Church of Aya irim is located here, and was used in Ottoman times as an arsenal. The second court contained the Divan, the seat of the Ottoman government, and was open to those who had business with the government. Lying to the right and left ol the second court are the buildings which housed the huge palace kitchens and the royal stables. The third and inner court (referred to as the enderun "the inside") housed the Palace School which trained the empires officials and bureaucrats, and was reserved for the use of government officials and the Ottoman household. The Mosque of the Ağa, the Imperial Treasury room, the Pavilion of Holly Mantle (Hırka-i Saadet Dairesi) which even today still holds the relics of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the library of Ahmet 111 (1703-30) are found inside this court, with the Throne Room (Arz Odası) right at its entrance. The fourth and last court contains several pavilions (köşks) as well as an enclosed garden and a terrace. The circumcision room was also built in this inner most court. The residential quarters are found on the west side of the three inner courts, with the women's quarters (haremlik) to the south and the men's quarters (selamlık) to the north. The total population of the palace is estimated to have been between 3,000 and 4,000 individuals at its peak.

Babüsselâm (Gate of Salutations)

This main gate to the Topkapi Palace leads to the Kubbealtt where the audience gatherings took place and to the second courtyard where the Treasury was located. .To enter through this gate, everyone but the Sultan was obliged to dismount. Built in 1564 during the reign of Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent, its main features are it's two octagonal towers.

Çinili Köşk (Tiled Pavilion)

This Pavilion is in the third courtyard of the palace on the Sea of Marmara Side. Seen from the sea it is the most eastern paul of the skyline silhouette farmed by the Royal Kitchens. Built in 1463 this pavillion has seen such extensive restoration that it has lost its original appearance. It has a balcony overlodging the Sea of Marmara and was used as a Treasury Hall.

Kasr-i Adl (Justice Tower)

Adjacent to the Harem this watch tower forms an important paul of the Topkapi Palace silhouette. Built in the reign of Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror the tower was repeatedly rebuilt. The tower as it stands to-day was designed and built by the architect Sarkis Balyan.

Harem

The harem is the section of the Palace where the Sultan, his mother, the I princess and the ladies of the palace lived. Located in the third courtyard, the Harem continued to grow life a living entity. With these ongoing additions there was no continuation of a set architectural style. The Harem of which only parts are open to the public, contains hundreds of room and corridors which are all embellished with Ottoman ornamentation.

Pavilion of the Holy Mantle

Built on the orders of Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror. This pavilion is also known as Has Oda (Hall of the Prioy Chamber) and is located in the palace's third courtyard. The importance of the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle is that it contains belongings of the Prophet Mohammed, some of the Caliphs and Companions. Some of these were brought from Egypt by Yavuz Sultan Selim and others, collected through various channels, were all placed in this Pavilion of the Topkapi Palace. Amongst the collection is the Mantle (or robe) of the Prophet Mohammed, two of the Prophet's swords, a seal and the Prophet's Holy Standard. There are also four pieces of stone and two of brick with the embedded footprint of the phophet and part of one of his teeth which was broken in the Battle of Uhud. There is a letter written by the Prophet
Mohammed to the ruler of Egypt inviting him to convert to Islam and hairs from I he Prophet's beard. There are swords which belonged to Caliphs and Companions and some pages of the Qoran verified to be written by the Caliph Osman and Caliph Ali.

Bağdat Pavilion

Located in the fourth courtyard of thepalace.This pavilion is sited to allow uninterrupted views of the golden Horn, Galata and the Sea of Marmara. Built in 1639 on the orders of Sultan Murat IV, it is one of the best examples of Turkish art and architecture. Standing today in its original form the exterior is decorated with tiles and internally these are very rare decorations of arabesque painted on leather.

Mecidiye Pavilion

This pavilion is located at the east end of the palace. Built by Sultan Abdulmecid it has the distinction of being the last Sultan's pavilion constructed at the Topkapi Palace, as after this Sultan moved from this palace. Built on the Empire Style' this singular storied rectangular building was designed by thearcitect Sarkis Balyan. The external facade's ornamentation is particularly noteworthy.

Arz Odası (The Throne Room)

In the Topkapi Palace thThroneRoom was strictly reserved for the Sultans' use on official occasions. Foreign envoys and visitors, the Prime Minister, Ministers and Chief Justices were received in audience by the Sultan in the Throne Room. Located in the third courtyard of the palace it was originally built on the orders of Sultan Mehmed, the Conqueror. Later the Throne Room was repeatedly modified and restored by other sultans. It comprises of a reception salon with the throne and two service rooms.

The Palace Kitchens

Located in the Divan Courtyard of the palace on the sea aspect of the site. These were built by Mimar Sinan to replace the earlier kitchens. Viewed from the sea side the kitchens 172 meters in length, form a distinctive line of the palace silhouette. Comprising of 10 sections each roofed by 10 domes, the chimneys over the domes give them a distinct and beautiful line. Providing meals for thousands of people daily, the kitchens' cooks cooked seperately for the Sultan, his mother, and the ladies of the Harem as well as for other officials of the palace. (s2)

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