ANKARA

The historic corridor connecting the sultan's private chambers, known as the Mabeyn, to the Imperial Harem at Topkapi Palace has been transformed into the tile gallery following an extensive restoration project.

Topkapi Palace, at the peak of Ottoman Turkish tile art during its construction and 16th-century renovations, houses one of the world's finest collections of ceramic tiles, a cornerstone of the National Palaces Collection.

According to a statement from the Directorate of National Palaces, a significant portion of the palace's tiles were stored in warehouses until 2018. More than 2,000 crates were carefully preserved under the directorate's supervision.

Four years ago, the establishment of a dedicated tile restoration workshop initiated classification and documentation efforts, resulting in 9,486 photographs and the inventory of 800 distinct patterns. The gallery's curated selection draws directly from these meticulous works.

The Mabeyn Yolu Tile Art Gallery presents the evolution of Ottoman tile art in a single continuous display: from the classical 16th-century Iznik style, through transformations and diversification in the 17th century, to 18th-century Kutahya productions influenced by European aesthetics.

Motifs such as tulips, carnations, hyacinths, and hatayi—stylized floral designs—alongside period landscapes and figurative scenes, allow visitors to trace aesthetic development and cultural interactions.

Housing approximately 250 pieces, the gallery is open to visitors daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except Tuesdays when Topkapi Palace is closed.

Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, constructed by Sultan Mehmed II between 1460 and 1478 after the Ottoman conquest of the city, served as the main residence and administrative hub for sultans until the mid-19th century.

In the 1850s, the court relocated to Dolmabahce Palace to accommodate evolving ceremonial protocols, though Topkapi continued to safeguard the imperial treasury, sacred relics, and archives while hosting select state functions.

Currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the venue attracts millions of visitors each year with its spacious courtyards, harem sections, treasure exhibitions, and magnificent Bosphorus views.