Topkapi Palace Museum
Located in Istanbul, Turkey, Topkapi Palace is one of the most crucial historical and cultural sites in the country. It served as the home and administrative seat of the Ottoman sultans. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Topkapi Palace was commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II, also referred to as Mehmed the Conqueror.
The design of the palace was aimed at making it a safe and majestic place for the sultan and his court. The architecture of the palace is characterized by a mixture of styles that were influenced by the Byzantines, Persians and Islamic designs. The palace includes a rich collection of such valuables as the Imperial Treasury, the famous Topkapi Dagger and the Spoonmaker's Diamond.
In addition, the palace contains manuscripts, religious relics and calligraphy, which reflect the cultural and religious diversity of empire. One year after the founding of the Republic of Turkey, in 1924, Topkapi Palace became a museum.
Nowadays it is visited by millions of tourists each year, showcasing the lavishness of the Ottoman state and the history of Turkey. It is a monument listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO which has great historical and architectural significance, and is one of the most visited places in Istanbul.
