The Ottoman palace in Istanbul that served as the sultans’ main residence for centuries is Topkapı Palace. Sultan Mehmed II began constructing it after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, and the palace developed over several centuries.
Topkapı occupies a strategic site on Istanbul’s historic peninsula, overlooking the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara. Rather than being a single monumental block, it is a series of courtyards, pavilions, gardens, administrative buildings, and ceremonial spaces enclosed by walls.
The palace remained the principal residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans until the 19th century, when rulers increasingly favored newer palaces along the Bosphorus. It is often confused with Dolmabahçe Palace, which became a later imperial residence and reflects a more European-influenced style.