Night tours begin at Topkapı Palace for the first time

Topkapı Palace, affiliated with the National Palaces Administration, has opened its doors to visitors during nighttime hours for the first time since it began operating as a museum in 1924.

İlhan Kocaman, Head of the Topkapı Palace Department, stated in his address to members of the press that a historic day is being experienced at Topkapı Palace with the night tour.

Stating that Topkapı Palace will be open to night visitors on Saturday evenings during the summer season, Kocaman said, "We have prepared a project to ensure our visitors can tour both the open and closed areas. This is the first time in the history of Topkapı Palace that such a project is being carried out. As of today, we are launching night tours to ensure they can visit our entire museum."

Kocaman expressed that Topkapı Palace served as the home of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, adding, "Whether it be the Harem or the Selamlık section, everyone was curious about what life was like here at night. We implemented this project to satisfy that curiosity."

IT WILL BE OPEN EVERY SATURDAY FROM 21:00 TO 23:00

Stating that the palace can be toured every Saturday between 21:00 and 23:00, Kocaman said that all sections of the palace will be kept open during the two-hour period.

Pointing out that there is no electricity in certain sections for security reasons, İlhan Kocaman noted the following:

"Our goal is to have people tour in groups. Since we believe that individual tours would be difficult in areas without electricity, we will form groups at the Gate of Salutation (Babüsselam) and guide them. While tour companies will guide the teams arriving with their own guides, we will form groups from those arriving individually and ensure their tours are conducted under the leadership of our own staff. Life actually continues here at night, including at the Pavilion of the Conqueror (Fatih Köşkü) and the Sacred Relics. Because in the Sacred Relics section, the recitation of the Holy Quran has continued 24 hours a day since the time of Yavuz Sultan Selim. Our night visitors will see this."

"TOURING AT NIGHT IS A BETTER OPTION FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE TIME DURING THE DAY"

Visitor Serap Özmete explained that they saw the night tours on social media and said, "We are enjoying it. It is very beautiful; the view of Istanbul is beautiful in its own way, and the valuable items inside are beautiful in their own way. We liked it very much. It is also a very nice alternative for those who work. Touring at night is a better option for those who want to visit Istanbul and do not have time during the day."

Bora Tayfun Özmete stated that Topkapı Palace is very crowded during the day, adding, "There is no one here right now. We are walking around as we please. It is as if you are in your own home. That is why it is nicer to tour with the family at this hour."

MANY SECTIONS OF THE HAREM-İ HÜMAYUN CAN ALSO BE VISITED AT NIGHT

The starting and ending point of the night tours, which will take history enthusiasts on a journey into the past, will be the Imperial Gate (Bab-ı Hümayun). Within the scope of the tour, the Imperial Council Chamber (Divan-ı Hümayun), the Dome Chamber (Kubbealtı), and the Palace Clock Gallery located in the second courtyard can be seen.

In the Harem section, the Mosque of the Black Eunuchs, the Courtyard of the Black Eunuchs, the Corridor of the Concubines, the Apartments of the Queen Mother (Valide Sultan), the Sultan's Bath, the Privy Chamber of Murad III, the Apartments of the Favorites (Gözdeler Dairesi), and the Mabeyn Courtyard, the Golden Road, as well as the Aviary Kitchen (Kuşhane Mutfağı), which was recently opened to visitors with a new exhibition layout, can be toured.

Within the scope of night visits, the Audience Chamber (Arz Odası), the Chamber of the Sacred Relics, and the Pavilion of the Conqueror (Fatih Köşkü), along with the Treasury Exhibition, located in the third courtyard of Topkapı Palace, can be rediscovered.

Masterpieces such as the Spoonmaker's Diamond, the Topkapı Dagger, and the Golden Throne, which are located within the palace's world-famous Treasury Exhibition, will also be open to visitors.

Night visits to the palace will be carried out in groups. The first group will be admitted at 21:00, and the second group at 22:00. Care will be taken to ensure that groups do not exceed 300 people.

Special tickets for the tour can be obtained from the ticket office.

News Source: AA