About Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace Museum displays the imperial collections of the Ottoman Empire and maintains a vast collection of books and manuscripts in its library. It is housed in a palace complex that served as the administrative centre and the home to the Ottoman sultans and their courts from 15^th century to mid-19^th century.

History and Layout of Palace

About 30 different sultans ruled from the Topkapi Palace during the Ottoman Empire. They renovated and expanded the palace frequently, resulting in the palace’s medley of changing Islamic, Ottoman and European architecture styles and decoration. The original layout, which consisted of 4 consecutive courtyards surrounded by high walls, remains. Each courtyard served a different purpose and was separated by a gate. The harem was the living quarters of the sultan’s family. The palace ever housed 1,000 to 4,000 inhabitants, including up to 300 in the harem.

Museum

In the mid-19^th century, the imperial courts moved from the Topkapi Palace to the newly constructed Dolmabahce Palace. Some buildings of the Topkapi Palace held their functions, and others fell into disrepair. When the palace became a museum in 1924, the royal treasures and imperial archives continue to be preserved at the Topkapi Palace.