With its towering minarets and intricate stonework, the Topkapi Palace is one of Istanbul's most iconic landmarks. And while it may look like a fairy-tale fortress, the palace has a long and fascinating history. Here are 10 facts about the Topkapi Palace that you may not know.
- The Topkapi Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years.
- The palace complex is made up of four main courtyards and numerous smaller buildings.
- The harem – the private quarters of the sultan and his family – was off-limits to most people.
- The palace was home to a large number of concubines, who were brought to the harem from all over the empire.
- The harem was also home to the sultan's mother and the wives of the previous sultans.
- The Topkapi Palace was the seat of government as well as the residence of the sultan.
- The palace was looted and damaged after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1918.
- It was turned into a museum in 1924 and has been open to the public ever since.
- The Topkapi Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Istanbul.
- The palace was used as the filming location for the 1964 film, Topkapi.
