Topkapı Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı)

Topkapi Palace 

Topkapi Palace is not only the home of the Ottoman sultans but also the administrative and educational center of the state.The first conquest of Constantinople was between the years 1460-1478. It was built by Sultan Mehmed II and extended and changed many times throughout its long history and served as the dwelling and court of Ottoman sultans until the middle of the 19th century. In the early 1850s, the palace became inadequate to the requirements of municipal ceremonies and protocols, and therefore the sultans moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus. Despite this move, the royal treasury, the imperial archives, and the holy relics of Prophet Muhammad continued to be preserved in the Topkapi Palace. Moreover, the palace was preserved because it was the analgesic of the Ottoman dynasty and the relics of the Ottoman ancestors.
 

Topkapi Palace Harem Life & History

The word harem originally means "to cover, to avoid" in Arabic. (Based on the principle of women's secrecy).

Architectural areas that were reserved for the family in the Ottomans and planned in such a way that women would not meet with foreign men were also called harems (Haram-Forbidden).

The Harem section is the most mysterious and fascinating part of Topkapi Palace with its hundreds of intertwined kiosks. It is the place where the Sultan's mother, wives, concubines, and children are located in the Harem (Women's of the Sultan). The Ottoman Harem was moved to Dolmabahce Palace in 1853 (likewise, the Harem section in the Dolmabahçe Palace is separate and mysterious).

The central location of the Valide Sultan kiosk in the architectural structuring of the harem indicates that the authority mechanism here is at the top. However, since the Harem was the residence of the sultan, the most magnificent kiosk was the Sultan kiosk, where the sultan stayed. The location of the Valide Sultan's Kiosk between the Ladies and Gentlemen's kiosk and the Sultan's kiosk was an expression of the difficult and charismatic position of the Sultan's kiosk, and that those who pass here will be subject to the visual inspection of the Valide Sultan.

The Sultan Chamber is the first and most important chamber of the Harem-i Humayun; because the ruler, who was the ruler of the Empire, lived here. In accordance with tradition, it is located next to the Valide Sultan kiosk and both are placed in a position overlooking the sea. There are also certain procedures and rules for entering the Sultan's kiosk. Even the wives of the sultans, sultan masters and princes could not enter this kiosk whenever they wanted. The broadest authority in this matter belonged only to treasurer masters and guards. They also had to act in a way that would not disturb the sultan, be quiet, and wear slippers made of soft leather and fabric unique to this circle.

The areas open and closed to visitors from time to time in the Harem section are: Concubines Stone, Valide Sultan Stone, Hearth Sofa, Sultan Bath, Has kiosk (Sultan's kiosk), Wardrobe Sofa, Sultan's Sofa, Double Pavilions, Harem Masjid, Favorites (girls) Stone House and Gold road sections
 

Topkapı Palace Sections

Topkapı Palace complex, there are three main gates-, the gate of Salutation (Bâbüsselâm), the Imperial gate (Bâb-ı Hümâyûn), and the gate of Felicity (Bâbüssaâde), and other parts: the Harem, the Royal gardens-which is today known as the Rose Garden (Gulbahce)-and many other gardens.

After the conquest of Constantinople, Fatih Sultan Mehmet (1460-1478 ), is a  palace built in the Beyazıt district of Istanbul; This first palace was later called the Old Palace, following the construction of the old palace. Fatih Sultan Mehmet  then had the Tiled Kiosk (Cinili kiosk), the Tiled Kiosk, and Topkapi Palace, where the court took place when the construction was completed. Sultan Mehmed called this place the New Palace (Sarây-ı Cedîd). Sultan Mahmud I (r. 1730-54) was built in front of the city near the Byzantine walls and later named a large wooden palace with several ceremonial cannons.

How Built Topkapı Palace?

When Topkapi was first built, İt's plan was influenced by the splendor of the Adarna Palace on the Tonka River, built by the father of Mehmed II, Sultan Murad II (1421-44, 1446-51). The basic design of the palace is centered on various courtyards and gardens, surrounded by offices designated for government works, buildings, and suites that serve as a residence of sovereignty and buildings for court employees who lived in the palace Topkapi Palace was built near the end of the Istanbul peninsula. Against the Marmara Sea, Bosphorus and a part of the Golden Horn. Surrounded by Byzantine walls, 1400 meters long, known as the"Sultan's Wall". The palace covers an area of ​​about 700,000 square meters, most of which are reserved for Royal Gardens
 

Topkapi Palace Museum Holy Relics

Sacred Relics are items that are believed to belong to Prophet Muhammad, his friends, and some prophets in Islam and are considered sacred in Islam. It was brought to Istanbul after the conquest of Egypt by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1517, and some of it was compiled from Islamic countries. Sacred relics are preserved and exhibited in the Sacred Relics Department of the Privy Chamber in Topkapi Palace.

Some of the holy relics are:

Hırka-i Saadet-Cardigan-i Saadet. (jacket of Prophet Muhammad)

Golden chest in which the Hırka-i Saadet is hidden.

The footprint of the Prophet Muhammad.

The beard of the Prophet Muhammad.

Soil from the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad.

The seal of the Prophet Muhammad (Seal of Bliss).

Sandals of the Prophet Muhammad (Nal-ı Saadet).

The hilt of the sword of the Prophet Muhammad Swords of the Prophet Muhammad.

The bow and arrow of the Prophet Muhammad.

The letter that the Prophet Muhammad sent to the false prophet (Name-i Saadet).

The prayer rug, cardigan, and shirt of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sanjak-i Sharif.

The swords of the Companions-i Kiram.

Hacerü'l-Esved enclosure. (Black stone)

The golden water trough of the Kaaba.

Key and locks of the Kaaba.

One of the doors of the Kaaba.

Model of Masjid an-Nabawi.

Model of Masjid al-Aqsa.

The sword of the Prophet David.

The pot of the Prophet Abraham.