It is from this palace that the sultans built their empire until the middle of the 19th century.

Construction of the Topkapi Palace began shortly after the capture of Constantinople by Mehmed II. The initial palace was inaugurated in 1465. Then, in the following decades, the palace was enlarged by the various rulers.

In 1856, Sultan Abdulmecid decided to move his residence to the Western-style Dolmabahçe Palace.

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Topkapi Palace

With its 700,000 square meters, Topkapi Palace has four courtyards and multiple buildings: an armory, a kitchen, royal stables and many other treasures.

It houses within its walls the archaeological museum and other monuments of interest.

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The treasure

Among the many rooms in the palace, one of the most important is the Treasury.

The Treasure contains some of the world's most valuable items, such as the Spoonmaker's Diamond (an 88-carat diamond that belonged to Letizia Ramolino, Napoleon's mother) or Topkapi's dagger (the most expensive weapon in the world). world, built in gold with emeralds).

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The harem

The Harem was where the Sultan lived, his family and a group of 500 to 800 women of high cultural level trained in certain skills. The Queen Mother was the head of the harem.

To access the harem, it is necessary to acquire a separate entrance.

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Our opinion

Topkapi Palace is a must-see in Istanbul . We recommend that you get there early and visit the Treasury and Harem first, as these are the two most frequented rooms.

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Guided tour in French

If you wish to take the tour with a guide, you can book our tour which includes hotel pickup, palace tour and a tasting of traditional Turkish delights. A true delight !