Tour Guide, Istanbul, Turkey
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Topkapı Palace, was the administrative, educational and art center of the Empire for nearly four hundred years; since Mehmed the Conqueror till Sultan Abdulmecid who is the thirty-first Sultan. Although the palace was abandoned by the Ottoman Dynasty, as they moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace during the mid of 19th century, Topkapı Palace's importance and dignity was protected throughout the coming years.
After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Topkapı Palace, was transformed into a museum on 3rd April 1924 and it became the first museum of the Republic of Turkey. Topkapı Palace Museum is covering approximately 4,00,000 sq. mtrs at the present day. Topkapı Palace divided the city from the land-side by the Imperial Walls which is made by Mehmed - the Conqueror. It also divided the city from the sea-side by the Byzantine Walls. Topkapı Palace is one of the biggest palace-museums, that became famous for its architectural structures, collections and approximately 3,00,000 archive papers.
After entering the premises, there are surroundings like gardens and squares around the Palace. Its main gate located at the Hagia-Sophia side, has four courtyards with passages between them. At the first courtyard is the Hagia-Irene Church, which was used as an armory; then are the outer service buildings like Mint, Oven and Hospital which are located here.
Second Courtyard is on the Divan Square (Square of Justice) that is hosting the administrative fort buildings of the Empire. This courtyard was also a ceremonial courtyard, housing Divan-ı Hümayun (Kubbealtı / Imperial Council) and Treasury of the Divan-ı Hümayun which are located on the courtyard. Behind the divan structure, there is the Tower of Justice which represents the justice of the Sultan. Dormitory of the Halberdiers with Tresses and the Entrance of Harem are also located at this courtyard. Also find Privy Stable structures at the same side around an inner courtyard. At the Marmara side of the Courtyard of Justice, there are the Palace Kitchens and additional service buildings. Babüssaade (Gate of Felicity) where coronation, funeral and festival ceremonies were held is located at the Northern side of the Courtyard of Justice.
The third Courtyard (Enderun – Inner Palace) was the section where the Palace Aghas were educated and assigned to high ranks of the State. It houses dormitories and the structures which belong to the Sultan, Hall of Audience where the Sultan used to meet and felicitate the Viziers and ambassadors, Enderun Library- constructed by the Sultan Ahmed III, Treasury of Enderun also known as Conqueror’s Pavilion, Privy Room (Chamber of Sultan) and the Aghas’ Mosque which was constructed for the Enderun Aghas during the reign of Fatih are the important structures of this courtyard. The courtyard is surrounded by big and small room wards, Expeditionary Force Ward, Pantries’ Ward, Treasure Ward and the Privy Room Ward which added to the Privy Room in the 19th century.
From the Privy Room, and the Enderun Courtyard, there are passages to the Imperial Sofa courtyard which hosts to the kiosks and gardens. At the Marble Terrace part of this courtyard, there are Revan and Baghdat Kiosks, Circumcision Room and the Iftaree Canopy. Under this terrace, there is a hanging flower garden which is surrounded by wooden Sofa Kiosk and the Tower of the Chief-Physician. At the Marmara side of this garden, there are Sofa Mosque, Mecidiye Kiosk and Wardrobe Room. It also known that there are lots of kiosks and service structures at the Privy Gardens which surrounds the Palace in axis of Maramara, Seraglio-Point and the Golden Horn.