Topkapi Palace and Istanbul Archaeological Museums Tour

There is no doubt that the historical peninsula is in the first place among the places to visit in Istanbul. In the Historic Peninsula, there are many places to see such as the most important places of Istanbul such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, cisterns, squares, baths, and madrasas. Located in the Historic Peninsula Topkapi Palace and Istanbul Archaeological Museums It deserves a one-day trip. In this text Topkapi Palace and Istanbul Archaeological Museums There are places I recommend for a trip, have a pleasant reading!

Topkapi Palace and Istanbul Archeology Museums Travel Route

The route I will share below is a full route between 10:00 in the morning and 18:00 in the evening, so I suggest you plan accordingly. If you click on the image below, you can see the places on the route on the Google Maps application.

1. German Fountain

We start our itinerary with the German Fountain in Sultanahmet Square. Of course, you don't have to start here, but when I go around Sultanahmet, I like to see this square and mosques from a wide angle and start my tour after that.

German Fountain, German Emperor II. It was built in Germany in 1898 as a gift from Wilhelm to the Ottoman Sultan II.Abdulhamit and to Istanbul and installed in its place in Istanbul in 1901.

2. Ahmet III Fountain

If you are coming to Topkapı Palace from the direction of Hagia Sophia, you have to cross 2 courtyards to visit the palace. Before the first courtyard, the palace is surrounded by high walls. Here you go through a checkpoint, this is just for security purposes, you don't have to pay a fee to enter the first courtyard, you can visit this garden for free.

Before entering the first courtyard, between the entrance of Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia, in Hagia Sophia Square, which immediately attracts attention with its wonderful architecture. III. Ahmet Fountain. The fountain was built by Ahmet III on the recommendation of Damat İbrahim Pasha, on the site of the Byzantine fountain that was previously located here. One of the most beautiful square fountains in the Ottoman Empire, III. The architectural style of Ahmet Fountain is Rococo and reveals the western influence.

3. Hagia Irene Church & Museum

When you enter the first courtyard of Topkapi Palace, the church on the left is Hagia Irene or St. Irene Church, which means Holy Peace. The church, which has historical importance because it is the first church built after Rome's conversion to Christianity, is also the only church with an atrium* that has survived from the Eastern Rome.

*Atrium is the name given to the courtyard with a portico in the middle of the old Roman temples. 

Another historical significance of Hagia Irene is that it was the first Ottoman museum. Hagia Irene in 1869, Museum-i Humayun (Imperial Museum). Over time, due to insufficient exhibition spaces, the artifacts here were moved to the Tiled Kiosk in 1875 and thus the first step of the Istanbul Archeology Museums was taken. Hagia Eirene has been used as a Military Museum since 1908, and then transferred to the Ministry of Culture.

Hagia Eirene serves as a concert hall for classical music performances due to its acoustic features and magnificent atmosphere. I would definitely recommend listening to a concert here.

Hagia Irene Church It can now be visited as a museum. However, Müzekart is not valid, full ticket is 30 TL, discounted ticket is 10 TL.

4. The Executioner's Fountain

In the first courtyard of Topkapı Palace, you will see a fountain on the wall next to the ticket offices. A piece of marble in front of the fountain. In the Ottoman Empire, the execution of traitors, those who covet the harem, those who spy, that is, mostly political criminals, were executed here, so it was also called the Fountain of Politics. Executioners; He used to wash his knives and razors in this fountain. I'm sorry I didn't take pictures when the situation was a little scary. Maybe you can take a peek as you pass through the garden.

5. Istanbul Archaeological Museums

If you continue to the left from the first courtyard, not towards the palace, you will see the entrance to the Istanbul Archaeological Museums on the right in the street. One of the richest Archeology museums in the world, Istanbul Archeology Museums consists of three buildings, which is why they are called "museums". It is a must-see museum with archaeological artifacts from many periods and civilizations. Alexander Sarcophagus, Temples and BC. The ones that stick in my mind are the mummy from the 500s. You can find very interesting details such as the Kadesh Agreement, First love poem, and the laws of Hammurabi in the museum.

For more information Istanbul Archaeological Museums You can check my post.

6. Topkapi Palace

The ticket you will buy for Topkapı Palace will allow you to visit sections such as the Divan, the Treasury, and the Mansions, excluding the Harem. Spread over a very large area, Topkapi Palace is the most modest palace I have seen, far from magnificence. While the Spoonmaker's Diamond is the most striking piece among the exhibits in the palace, the section that attracts the most visitors is the section where the Sacred Relics are exhibited.

Thinking that it is necessary to understand the plan better in order to tour the palace, I added the plans below, courtyard by courtyard.

The first courtyard is the courtyard where you can enter the Hagia Eirene Museum, which you can enter for free, and where you can pass to the Archaeological Museums. You can see it in color below. The Mint building is also located here, but it is not open to visitors.

The Second Courtyard is the section where the palace kitchens are located on the right, the Harem entrance on the left, and the hall where the Divan meetings are held, also called Kubbealtı. You can easily recognize this building from the dome at the top of the hall where Divan meetings are held. In the exhibition hall next to the Divan hall, you can find famous pieces such as the Spoonmaker's Diamond and the Topkapi Dagger.

The Third Courtyard is the section of the Privy Room, where the Sacred Relics are exhibited. III. The courtyard is passed through the Supply Room. Since the Qur'an is constantly recited here, women must enter with their heads covered. If you don't have a cover, they give you a clean head cover with an unopened bag at the entrance.

There are many pavilions of various sizes in the fourth and last courtyard, and the garden landscape of this courtyard is also extremely beautiful. On the right side of the courtyard, there is a view point overlooking the Anatolian side, where there is a branch of the Konyalı restaurant. If you wish, you can take a break here for a meal or a drink. On the left side of the garden, there is another view point on the side of the Bagdat Mansion facing the Golden Horn, this is my favorite spot.

Except for the Harem, Hagia Eirene and Archaeological Museums, I recommend you allocate 3-4 hours just to visit the palace.

Topkapı Palace entrance fee is 2021 TL for 60, 10 TL with a discount, free if you have a Museum Card, excluding Harem. They receive visitors between 09:00 and 17:00, the visit continues until 18:00.

7. Sogukcesme Street

If you are exiting through the main gate you entered from Topkapı Palace, do not complete your tour without stopping by Soğukçeşme Street, which is between Hagia Sophia and the palace gate. Here you will encounter a street like a photography studio where historical Ottoman houses are lined up side by side. Most of the buildings serve as hotels or cafes/restaurants. Street Sogukcesme was named after III. He took it from the fountain that was built during the Selim period.

What to Eat Around Topkapi Palace and Istanbul Archeology Museums?

If I come somewhere around Topkapı Palace or Sultanahmet Square, there are a few places where I prefer food and dessert. Of course, there are not many restaurants and cafes around, but these are my first choices.

• Sultanahmet Meatballs: If I went around Sultanahmet Square, my first choice for food Sultanahmet Meatballs is happening. It's like a tradition to me. Although it bothers me a little that it is very crowded and the quality of service has decreased due to the crowd, the situation does not change.
• Pudding Shop: Another place I love and go to eat Pudding Shop known as the place where hippies leave news to each other, which is a stopping point during their Asian journeys. Tulip Restaurant. The food is not bad either, it tastes like an artisan restaurant.
• Hafiz Mustafa: Dessert shop located under the Turkish Literature Foundation building Hafiz Mustafa one of my favorite places for both tea coffee and dessert break. Desserts are really good. Its interior also takes you on a journey in history.
• Caferağa Madrasa: You can also choose Caferağa Madrasa for a tea or coffee break. Again, you will have a tea break in a place that smells of history.

If you tell us not to spend any money, you will see many bagel shops in Gülhane Park, at the entrance of the palace, on the square, you can of course take your bagel and take a short break.

The excursion route mentioned in this article was on Sunday, January 22, 2012, under the guidance of Ahmet Alpat. II. Istanbul Trips is the route. Dear, who did not spare their help in the organization for this pleasant trip. Icon Sezer and of course our guide Ahmet Alpat'at and thank you to everyone who joined us on this cold January day.