Topkapı Sarayı- Ottoman Imperial Palace or Seraglio New Seat of Empire

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Topkapı Sarayı

Also known as "the old palace" was laid down by Sultan Mehmed II, Conqueror of Constantinople, in 1453. The building would take the greater portion of his reign and it wasn't till his successor Sultan Bayezid II the complex was completed. It would go on to house the Ottoman Imperial family until the 1850s. 

The purpose of this blogpost isn't to serve as an exhaustive examination of the Seraglio, but to serve rather as a reference for the regular show as we move beyond the reign of Sultan Mehmed II. This will probably be a multi-part blog series linking back in to each other for reference. 

Until then here are some pictures. 

(The Sea of Marmara rest at the Topkapı Sarayı east. To the West the old quarter of Constantinople leans against centuries of Byzantine history) 

(Layout of the design of Topkapı Sarayı- Source InspiredPencil)

(A frontal view of the Topapi. Fresh fish were caught and served to Sultan's fried, long considered a delicacy amongst visiting envoys: Source: Carlos Delgado)

(Sultan Mehmed II he was different from Sultans past. Instead of the marcher lords from the hinterland of Anatolia, or the "horseman's" soldier of his father, Murat II, Mehmed made no bones about their being a certain "extra" to his very being, possibly semi-divine. All an effort to shroud the office of Sultanate in the mystic and beauty of incense, aloofness, and power.) 

(The elaborate ritual surrounding the Office of the Sultan was meant to convey power, strength, and deference. This intention was baked into the very architecture of the Topkapı Sarayı with it's high walls, strange euclidian angles, and domed structures casting long shadows.)

(Tughra of Sultan Mehmed II-founder of Topkapı Sarayı)

(Imperial Mint of the Ottomans. Long a source of intrigue and treachery up till the foundation of the modern day Turkish Republic) 

(Main entrance to the Imperial Council, the Dîvân-ı Hümâyûn) 

(Layout of the design of the Topkapı Sarayı)

I realize that in certain quarters it's considered "verboten" to talk about Wikipedia... BUT 

They've got a pretty cool summary I'll leave here: Wikipedia Article on the Topkapi Palace

"The Topkapı Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı;[2] Ottoman Turkish: طوپقپو سرايى, romanized: ṭopḳapu sarāyı, lit. 'Cannon Gate Palace'),[3] or the Seraglio,[4] is a large museum and library in the east of the Fatih district of Istanbul in Turkey. From the 1460s to the completion of Dolmabahçe Palace in 1856, it served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, and was the main residence of its sultans.

Construction, ordered by the Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, began in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. Topkapı was originally called the "New Palace" (Yeni Saray or Saray-ı Cedîd-i Âmire) to distinguish it from the Old Palace (Eski Saray or Sarây-ı Atîk-i Âmire) in Beyazıt Square. It was given the name Topkapı, meaning Cannon Gate, in the 19th century.[5] The complex expanded over the centuries, with major renovations after the 1509 earthquakeand the 1665 fire. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards and many smaller buildings. Female members of the Sultan's family lived in the harem, and leading state officials, including the Grand Vizier, held meetings in the Imperial Council building." 

Thanks, and until next time. 

-Frank 

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