Tourism: Night tours of Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace begin

The famous Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, one of the most visited monuments and historical sites by tourists not only in the Turkish metropolis but throughout Turkey, can be visited at night until next September, offering an original and unique experience to visitors, who can admire the courtyards, architecture and historical treasures and objects of the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, thanks to an initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey launched last year that allows night visits to dozens of museums and monuments.

According to Turkish public media, the Topkapı Palace of Istanbul opened its doors for night visits on 21 June – coinciding with the longest day of the year – and these can continue until 14 September, from 21:00 to 23:00. The night tours of the Ottoman palace will be organised in two groups every Saturday, at 21:00 and 22:00, starting and ending at the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun); tickets can be purchased at the palace itself, and visitors can purchase audio guides at the entrance to guide them through the tour.

The cafeteria located in the Palace’s Courtyard of Ceremonies will be open during the tours. Areas that will be accessible during night visits to Topkapı include the Kubbealtı, the Weapons Museum, the Concubine Courtyard and the Imperial Hall in the Harem, as well as the Privy Chamber and the Golden Road. In the Inner Courtyard, visitors will be able to explore the Chamber of Sacred Relics, the Audience Hall, the Fatih Pavilion and the Dormitory of the Campaigners.

“We have opened some areas of these places to the public by slightly illuminating them. We will make sure that all the places that can be seen during the day can also be seen at night as much as possible. In addition, this year, our visitors will be able to see the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara and the Princes’ Islands from our lower gardens, i.e. from the Fatih Pavilion of the palace and the terrace area of the Mecidiye Pavilion,” İlhan Kocaman, head of the Topkapı Palace, told the press.

“The palace is even more beautiful at night“

Sevgi Aytekin, a Turkish tourist who visited the palace during the first days of its night opening, confessed that she had been excited about what was her first visit to Topkapı: “The weather here is also very nice. I had no idea the views were so beautiful. I was delighted. I think Topkapı is even more beautiful at night. I definitely recommend the visit”.

Another Turkish tourist, Onur Baran, also related his impressions after he and his wife visited Istanbul’s Topkapı Palace at night: “It’s really nice to see the holy relics that we couldn’t see before. Apart from that, everyone should visit it at night. We were able to listen to explanations from the guides, it’s as if you are living the history of the place. It’s not just a tourist tour: here, history comes alive in your mind. I liked it very much”.

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