An Apollonaut travel guide

Look a little closer.

Read through the state rooms, the gardens and the city. Each is a different way to begin a visit.

On this page

Ways into the story

Crystal and ceremony
Begin with the Journal’s look at the Ceremonial Hall and the materials of the palace.
People and place
Follow the heritage introduction into the palace’s longer history, from the sultans to the Republic.
A city in detail
Explore Istanbul’s palaces and waterfront through the Building Istanbul guide.

Stories with a clear point of view

A useful story gives you something specific to notice: a room, a person, a change over time or a question worth carrying into a visit. Context matters as much as a striking image.

This hub brings the palace’s editorial pages together. It does not present commissioned interviews, community partnerships or independent field reporting that have not taken place. When new reporting is added, its contributors, dates and image credits should travel with it.