For Muslims, the most precious treasures in Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace—and indeed in Turkiye itself—are relics from the Prophet Mohammed that are kept in the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle.
Room within Topkapi Palace in Istanbul (photo by Lori Erickson)Covering 172 acres on Istanbul’s Seraglio Point, Topkapi Palace features a sprawling array of lush gardens, richly decorated courtyards, winding passageways, and elaborately furnished rooms. For hundreds of years it was home to the Ottoman imperial family and served as the administrative headquarters for the empire.
Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited attractions in Turkey. In addition to the Harem, highlights of the palace include an Imperial Treasury with a dazzling collection of jewels, porcelain, silver, gold, royal robes, and gifts from throughout the world.
Located on the northwest side of the Third Court opposite the Imperial Treasury, the five rooms of the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle contain a variety of sacred items.
Most precious is a mantle once worn by the Prophet. The Holy Mantle is kept in a golden chest, carefully preserved and only displayed on rare occasions. Visitors cannot view the relic directly but can see the beautifully crafted case and the room’s reverential setting. The space is adorned with Quranic inscriptions and intricate details that underscore the spiritual importance of the items housed within.
In addition to the mantle, the pavilion contains other holy relics. These include a sword of the Prophet Muhammad, hairs from his beard, a tooth, and an impression of his footprint, plus swords from the first four caliphs and keys to the Kaaba in Mecca. The pavilion also features relics of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and King David, who are honored by Muslims as well as Christians and Jews.
Entrance to the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle (Lori Erickson photo)Some of the relics were given as gifts to the sultans, and others were taken from Cairo by Sultan Selim I in the early 16th century. In recognition of the sacredness of the site, passages from the Quran are chanted here 24 hours each day.
At one time these relics were displayed only to the sultan, his family, and the court during a ceremony held on the fifteenth day of Ramadan each year. In 1962 they were put on public display to everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The collection is considered to contain some of the holiest relics of Islam and is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims from around the world.
The pavilion reflects the Ottomans’ deep sense of responsibility as guardians of the Islamic faith. For centuries, the Ottoman sultans regarded the relics as both symbols of their spiritual authority and physical reminders of their connection to the Prophet Muhammad and Islamic history.
Lori Erickson is one of America’s top travel writers specializing in spiritual journeys. She’s the author of books that include Holy Rover, Near the Exit, The Soul of the Family Tree, and Every Step Is Home. Her website Spiritual Travels features holy sites around the world.
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