Topkapi Palace & Imperial Harem
Set atop Seraglio Point commanding the convergence of the Bosphorus Strait, the Golden Horn, and the Marmara Sea, Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı) was founded by Sultan Mehmed II in 1459 following the Ottoman conquest. For nearly 400 years, it was the administrative, educational, and domestic epicenter of the Ottoman Empire, housing up to 4,000 residents within its verdant courtyards and fortified crenellated walls. The palace complex unfolds across four monumental courtyards. Highlights include the Imperial Council Chamber (Divan), the private labyrinthine Harem with its gilded mirrors and Iznik-clad corridors, and the Privy Chamber preserving priceless Sacred Relics of Islam, including the mantle, swords, and footprint of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In the Imperial Treasury, visitors marvel at breathtaking royal regalia including the legendary 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond, gold thrones, and emerald-encrusted swords.
“The grand administrative seat and residence of Ottoman Sultans for nearly four centuries, housing legendary treasures and holy relics.”
— Tourism Compass Heritage Committee