Istanbul's Topkapi Palace opens new gallery for historic Ottoman tiles

A historic corridor within Istanbul's iconic Topkapi Palace has been transformed into a dedicated gallery showcasing the splendor of Ottoman tile art. The new "Mabeyn Yolu Tile Art Gallery" presents a curated exhibition of over 250 ceramic pieces, offering visitors a chronological journey through several centuries of Turkish craftsmanship.

From storage to exhibition: a four-year restoration project

The gallery is the result of an extensive restoration and cataloging project initiated by the Directorate of National Palaces. For decades, a significant portion of the palace's vast tile collection—more than 2,000 crates' worth—remained in storage. A specialized workshop established four years ago meticulously documented 800 distinct patterns and produced nearly 9,500 photographs, allowing experts to select and restore pieces for public display.

A walk through Ottoman artistic history

The exhibition is designed as a continuous narrative of artistic development. It begins with the famed 16th-century İznik tiles, celebrated for their vibrant cobalt blues and intricate floral motifs like tulips and carnations. The display then progresses through the transformations of the 17th century and concludes with 18th-century works from Kütahya, which show distinct European influences in their landscapes and figurative scenes.

Topkapi Palace: a living museum and UNESCO site

Topkapi Palace, built in the 1460s by Sultan Mehmed II, served as the primary residence and administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Türkiye's most visited museums. The new tile gallery, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays), adds a significant new dimension to its collections, which already include imperial treasures, sacred relics, and the famous harem section.