Topkapi Palace Complex [site]
unknown (Islamic)
Download1A3-I-T-TP-1-C2_cp.jpg (719.1Kb)
Date
1453-1853Description
Gate of Salutation; Bab es-Selam, the left tower; Primary residence of the Ottoman sultans (reigned 1281-1924) from the mid-15th century until the construction of Dolmabahce Palace (1853) on the Bosporus. This vast conglomeration of buildings (now a museum) stands on a magnificent promontory on the tip of the peninsula overlooking the Bosporus and the inner harbour on the east and the Golden Horn on the north. It is isolated from the city on the landward sides by walls on the south and west. Originally known as the New Palace, only in the 19th century did it come to be known as Topkapi ('Cannon-gate') Palace, after a shore pavilion (destroyed 1862-1863) built near a gate of that name. The layout of the palace, established by Mehmed II, is based on the First Court, an outer precinct or park, and an inner precinct of three courts that constitute the palace proper. Construction of the walls surrounding the palace was begun c. 1460 and completed in 1478. There are several gateways in the outer wall, but the major ceremonial route was a linear series of three great portals leading into the First, Second and Third Courts, with the audience throne-room beyond the third portal. Remains from Mehmed's period include the encircling walls, the main portal for the entire complex (Emperor's Gate; Bab-ı Humayun), that of the palace proper (Middle Gate or Gate of Salutation; Bab es-Selam), and a series of gardens and pavilions or kiosks, built first in the palace proper and then in the park. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/28/2008)
Type of Work
historic site; royal palaceSubject
architectural exteriors, decorative arts, rulers and leaders, typography or calligraphy, Mehmed II, Sultan of the Turks, 1432-1481, Ottoman Empire and its heritage, Ottoman (style)
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only