Topkapı Imperial Palace

Timeline

1. 1459–1478Seraglio Point (site of the former Byzantine palace) · IstanbulAfter conquering Constantinople, Mehmed II built a new palace at the tip of the peninsula, with the Imperial Gate, audience hall, and inner palace, replacing the old palace at Edirne as the core of the imperial capital.
2. 1520–1566Inner palace and Third Courtyard of Topkapı Palace · IstanbulSuleiman I and his architects expanded the harem, imperial gardens, and treasury; the Divan council system and the inner-court order of eunuchs and women were formalized here, and court ceremony reached its zenith.
3. 1561–1570Second Courtyard of Topkapı Palace (Imperial Council Hall) · IstanbulThe palace handled the reception of foreign envoys, Divan meetings chaired by the grand vizier, and the issuance of the imperial seal; major court events such as Suleiman's death in 1566 and the accession of Selim II took place here, demonstrating its status as the center of imperial governance.