"Topkapi Palace, Istanbul" Top 5 Page for this destination Turkey Things to Do Tip by MalenaN

Shortly after the conquest of Istanbul Mehmet the conqueror started to build the palace. After that sultans lived here for almost 400 years until sultan Abdülmecid I left Topkapi for Dolmabahce Palace in 1853.
The palace is not one single building but several buildings around four big courtyards.

The Harem was the privat qaurters of the palace. It was the home of the women (the sultans mother, his wifes and concubines) and the children. The only men allowed to enter the harem was the sultan and his sons, and the eunuchs.

Last year (2003) the entrance fee to Topkapi Palace was
12 000 000 TL. But that is not enough. If you want to see the best parts, the harem and the treasury, you have to pay more. 10 000 000 TL for the harem and another 10 000 000 TL for the treasury.
I decided to see the harem but not the treasury as it would have been to expensive. But now I wish I had seen the treasury as well.