Topkapı Palace

Built in the 1450s by order of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, this magnificent palace complex has towered over the stunning views of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus since 1478. The walls and elegant pavilions at the tip of the historic peninsula invite visitors on a journey back in time at first glance. Now serving as a museum, Topkapı Palace is a unique destination that reflects the splendour of the Ottoman Empire and welcomes millions of visitors every year.

History of the Topkapı Palace

Construction of Topkapı Palace began shortly after the conquest of Istanbul and was completed in 1478. From the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet onwards, it served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire and the official residence of the sultans for approximately 400 years. This palace, which witnessed 400 years of the Ottoman Empire's 600-year history, once housed nearly 4,000 people. The administrative affairs of the state, the treasury, education, and artistic activities all took place here; the most critical decisions of the empire were made within the walls of Topkapı Palace.

From its inception, the sultans placed great importance on Topkapı Palace, expanding and renovating it during various periods. Especially during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, new structures were added to the palace complex; the sections damaged in a major fire in 1574 were repaired and rebuilt by the chief architect Mimar Sinan during the reign of Sultan Selim II. Thus, while the palace's original plan was preserved, architectural styles from different periods were integrated into the palace as a whole. Topkapı Palace has been the scene of many important events in the empire. The accession ceremonies of the sultans, the magnificent circumcision weddings of the princes, and the reception ceremonies for foreign ambassadors were held here; even during the Janissary revolts, the rebels gathered in front of the palace, demonstrating its central role in the political arena. The Holy Relics (such as the Hırka-i Saadet of the Prophet Muhammad and other relics) brought to Istanbul by Yavuz Sultan Selim after his campaign in Egypt in 1517 also added great spiritual significance to the palace.

By the mid-19th century, Ottoman sultans began to move their administrative centre to new palaces such as Dolmabahçe Palace and ceased to use Topkapı as their official residence. In 1856, with Sultan Abdülmecid's move to Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapı Palace was largely emptied as the palace staff also departed, losing its status as an administrative centre. However, this historical structure was never completely abandoned; it was periodically restored and maintained, eventually serving as a museum where its collections were displayed to visiting state officials. Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Topkapı Palace was officially converted into a museum on 3 April 1924 by order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, and opened to the public. After becoming a museum, the palace's treasures, sacred relics, weapon collections and priceless works of art were put on display. Thus, Topkapı Palace has become a living treasure trove of history, preserving its splendour to this day.

Discover the Topkapı Palace by Yacht

One of the most enchanting ways to explore Topkapı Palace for visitors to Istanbul is to view it from the sea. As you glide through the cool waters of the Bosphorus on a yacht, you can admire the palace's historic location on the peninsula and the other masterpieces of Istanbul's skyline, such as the Hagia Sophia and Süleymaniye Mosque, rising in the background, all from a single vantage point. Away from the crowds, watching Topkapı from the open waters of Sarayburnu, accompanied only by the sound of the waves, feels like stepping through a special window into the past. Indeed, during a tour that includes a hourly yacht rental service on the Bosphorus, seeing Topkapı Palace from the sea transforms the connection with this historical treasure into an unforgettable memory.

Nowadays, many people prefer to explore the city by renting a yacht to make their Bosphorus tour more special and enjoyable. Those who watch Topkapı Palace from the sea on a private yacht tour have the opportunity to experience Istanbul from a completely different perspective. A yacht trip on this enchanting waterway separating Europe and Asia offers the chance to see both the natural beauty and historical structures of the city at the same time. As you gaze at the palace from the sea, the view of the historic peninsula blends with the palace's silhouette, creating a picture-perfect scene that will be etched in your memory. For this reason, a yacht cruise on the Bosphorus has become one of the most enjoyable options for those who want to discover Topkapı Palace.

If you are looking for a Bosphorus experience away from the crowds, where you can have the place all to yourself, rent a yacht and enjoy the silhouette of Topkapı Palace from the sea. You can set your own route, stop at any point you like, and take photos of this unique landscape; with a professional guide, you can listen to the history of the palace while enjoying the Bosphorus. Thanks to a private yacht tour, you will appreciate the strategic location and beauty of the palace even more deeply as you gaze at it from the point where Istanbul's two seas meet. Watching Topkapı Palace from the deck of a yacht as the colours of the Bosphorus change at sunrise or sunset will be an unforgettable, exclusive Istanbul memory that will stay with you for a lifetime.