Topkapi Palace

Topkapı Palace

Name: Eren Gurel

Class: H4T

Chapters

1. Introduction

2. History

3. The Palace As A Museum

4. Conclusion

5. Sources

Introduction

My report is about the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. I chose this building, because it's in Turkey. In the summer holidays I go to Turkey. I visited the palace which was huge. I found it a very interesting building to make a report about it, because it has a lot of history and it is popular worldwide. The Topkapi Palace was the home of the Sultan, which was the ruler of the Middle-East. The palace was used by the Sultans from year 1453 until 1853. In 1853 it became an accommodation for ranked officers. But it only lasted until 1924, which then the palace became a museum.

History

Topkapi Palace was built by Sultan Mehmed II after he conquered Constantinople in 1453. The first palace constructed by him at the site of the Istanbul University, soon proved insufficient to meet the demands of Sultan's administration. So, he ordered another palace to be

constructed at the site of the Byzantine acropolis, with the Golden Horn, the Seraglio and the Sea of Marmara encircling it. The palace was walled off from the city to provide the necessary security and privacy. The Topkapi Palace was not only the residence of the Sultans, it was also the administrative center from where all the judicial and executive functions were carried out. Later it also became a seat of art and culture. Over the centuries, the palace underwent many changes with additions being made to the original structure. Parts of the palace building were often destroyed due to fire or earthquakes and constant restoration work took place. Each Sultan that repaired a portion of the Topkapi Palace did it according to his own style or the architectural style prevalent at the time. It has so evolved to its present form over the centuries and some of the older construction can only be seen in the earlier paintings or miniatures. The last building was added by Sultan Abdulmecid who later abandoned it to live in the newly constructed palace on the Bosphorus. 

Sultan Mehmed II

Today the Topkapi Palace is still a remarkable sight with its minarets, turrets and domes. It covers an enormous area of 173 acres which houses garden courtyards, kitchens, armory, workshops, baths, offices, halls and residential areas. Once it was a small city where thousands of people lived. In 1923, it was renovated once again to convert it to a museum that has today become one of Istanbul's most popular sights.

The Palace As A Museum

The Topkapi Palace is humble in its architecture and simple in style. It is a place worth visiting for it gives you a panoramic insight to the life and times of the Turkish sultans across

generations. Home of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Topkapı was the seraglio, the heart of the vast Ottoman Empire, ruled by the monarch who lived in Topkapı's hundreds of rooms with hundreds of concubines, children, and white and black servants. Because Topkapı is No. 1 on everyone's list of Istanbul sights, get there when it opens (09:00 am, till 17:00 [5 pm]; closed Tuesday; TL 20 admission fee for adults) and go straight to the Harem (additional TL15 admission fee). Once accessible only by guided tour, you can then wander through the Harem on your own, as you choose, but only a certain number of visitors are allowed at one time, so go there first to Entrance Topkapi Palace avoid waiting. After wandering through the Harem you can stroll the palace's spacious grounds and four courtyards at your leisure. Don't miss the Treasury in the 3rd courtyard, with its incredible gems, gold, and works of art. (For a bittersweet romantic scene that actually happened at Topkapı, see my Bright Sun, Strong Tea excerpt entitled "Tears at Topkapı.") Just down the hill to the west of the palace are the Istanbul Archeological Museums, and beyond them is shady Gülhane Park, a fine place for a stroll or a soothing glass of tea.

Imperial Hall with the throne of the sultan

Conclusion

The Topkapi Palace is the place to visit when you go to Turkey. It represents all of the Turkish culture and about the great Ottoman Empire. It's something that has written history. Even if you don't know Turkish, there are a lot of tour guides that speak almost every language. If you don't want a guide you can hire a phone like speaker, where everything is being told in the selected language. I really recommend this place to everyone. Especially if you want to know more about the cultures in this world and how it was in that time.

Sources

1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkapı_Palace

2. www.topkapi-palace.org

3. www.topkapipalace.com

4. http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Sultanahmet/TopkapiSaray.html

5. http://www.google.nl/search?q=topkapi-palace&um=1&ie=UTF 8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&hl=nl&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=899