Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Directorate of The Topkapý Palace Museum
Sultanahmet, Fatih / ISTANBUL
Tel : +90(212) 512 04 80
Fax : +90(212) 528 59 91
E-mail : topkapisarayimuzesi@kulturturizm.gov.tr
- Topkapý Palace Museum is open to visit between 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM everyday except tuesdays.
- Ticket sale for the museum ends at 04:00 PM
- The Harem is open to visit between 09:00 AM - 04.00 PM .
- Separate ticket is required for Harem visits.
- The Harem tickets can be obtained from ticket booth in front of the Harem entrance.
- Ticket sale for the Harem ends at 03:30 PM
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Topkapi Palace Museum hosts the exhibition “Ten Thousand Years of Iran's Civilization, Two Thousand Years of Common Heritage” within the scope of 2009 “Turkey-Iran Culture Year” with the contributions from Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.
This construction which is one of the most beautiful pavilions, not only among those in Sofa-i Hümâyûn, but also among those of palace that survived today was built in 1693 to commemorate the conquest of Baghdad by Murad IV. 
The word harem, as meaning taboo and/or forbidden, had been used for family concept in the Islamic society. Harem is the private and prohibited place where the dynasty lived in the Ottoman Palace.
Because of its symbolic feature, Bâb-üs Saade is the most important gate of the palace. The Gate, opening to 3rd Yard where Divan Square, Enderûn School and Sultan's Chambers are located, is one of the highest degreed places, because of being basing point of Birun and Enderûn and of being the place in front of which the sultans were sitting on important days such as coronations and festivals.