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Topkapi Palace
Istanbul
Topkapi Palace which was built by Mehmet The Conqueror
between the years 1462 and 1478 was constructed at Seraglio Point
surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus .
It is
located on the first hill of old city. Topkapi Palace is one of the finest
examples of the Ottoman civil architecture in existence. After harems
were added to it Suleyman moved with all his harem to the new palace. Topkapi
Palace, the greatest residence of The Ottoman Dynasty, is one of the best
museums in
the world. This vast and fascinating complex served as Imperial residence
for the Ottoman Empire for more than four centuries.
Topkapi Palace consisted of three courts and a large terrace. The first court
was open to the public but the second court requiresd special
permission to enter. The third court was reserved for servants, court officials and
students, This court had a mint. the Ministry of Finances, a bakery and a
hospital.
The second gate, which looked like a fortress with two towers opened into the
second court. The Kitchens were located to the right and consisted of ten
rooms with three large domes. In each room cooking was done for different
ranks-for the sultan, for his mother and his wives. A head cook, ten chefs and
480 cooks worked each day cooking for 5000- 7000 people and during holiday time
for 10000- 12000 people. Today Chinese, Japanese, Turkish and European
porcelain are exhibited in these former kitchens. This is the world's third
largest collection of porcelain after Peking and Dresden.
The complex of the harem has 400 rooms,10 baths, 2 mosques, a hospital
and a prison. The most influential person in the harem after the sultan
was the sultan's mother. The third most important person in the harem was
the Chief Black Eunuch.
In addition, the third court included schools, a summer residence and bath,
government buildings and a mosque.
In the first room one can see the armor of Mustafa
III, decorated with gems, the ivory throne of Murat IV, a golden music
box in the shape of an elephant, pearl trimmed Koran holders, golden water
pipes, tobacco boxes, shields, swords, helmets, daggers pistols, and vases
of jade.
In the second room is the canopy throne decorated with mother of
pearl, emeralds and rubies belonging to Ahmet I, the golden cradle of the
princes, precious stones, and the Topkapi dagger with emeralds and
22 uncut emeralds.
The third room contains the 86 carat diamond surrounded by 49 brilliants,
two golden candle holders, and an Indian throne trimmed with 250.000
pearls.
In the former government building, built by Mehmet II, the holy relics
brought from Egypt by Sultan Selim are kept. The prophet's mantle,
Muhammad's sword, his bamboo bow, his letter to the patriarch of Egypt,
one of his teeth, a hair from his beard, and his footprint in the marble
of Mecca can be seen.
The terrace is decorated with several
pavilions, the most beautiful being the Bagdat Pavilion which was built to
commemorate the conquest of Bagdat in 1638. Other pavillions include
The Revan Pavilion which was built in
1631, The Mecidiye Pavilion built in the 18th century and the Sofa Pavilion built in
1704. |
