A VIRTUAL TOUR OF TOPKAPI PALACE

The Topkapı Palace was the Ottomans’ second palace in Istanbul. Its construction was started in 1459 and completed in 1478. As each succeeding sultan ascended to the throne, new parts were added to the palace, reflecting different tastes and styles of architecture of four centuries. The changes were made for reasons of practicality, to commemorate victorious campaigns, or to repair damage caused by earthquakes and fire.

The Topkapı Palace housed each of the Ottoman Sultans from Sultan Mehmed II to Sultan Abdülmecid, covering nearly four centuries and 25 Sultans. In 1924 the palace was turned into a museum.