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Topkapi Palace

Location

Istanbul

Turkey

41° 0' 38.232" N, 28° 58' 57.9504" E

See map: Google Maps

TR

General info:

For almost 4 centuries, Torkapi Palace was the main headquarters of Ottoman emperors. The name Torkapi translates from Turkish as ‘Cannon Gate’. Its construction started in 1459, on the spot where the walls of Constantinople were destroyed by the Ottoman artillery five years before.

In the times when the Ottoman Empire reached its peak, the Torkapi Palace was a kind of city within the city of Istanbul. As a part of this complex were a state treasury, huge library, mosque, and even a harem. Many artifacts from that period are preserved and are now on display in this museum. The most valuable item in the Torkapi Palace Museum is the sword of the prophet Muhammad, one of the most important relics of the Muslim world.

Getting there:

The tram ‘Sultanahmet’ takes you to the street Babıhümayun Caddesi, where Torkapi Palace is located.

Costs:

The entrance to the palace costs 25 Turkish Lira, while to enter the Harem, you need to pay 15 Turkish Lira.

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