The main portal Bab-i Humayun of Topkapi Palace leads into the First Courtyard (known as Alay Square) . Ordinary people were allowed to enter this courtyard on stated days and lead their relations with the state . It was also the only place where the high officials of the state were allowed to enter on their horses . The avenue between Bab-i Humayun till Bab-us Selam (the gate leading into the second courtyard) is about 300 meters long and used to witness the passage of the sultan to Culus , Sefer , Cuma Selamlıkları .
In the First Courtyard , on the left side , there used to be Turkish baths , wards , workshops and stables all of them have not survived to our day and on the place of all these structures , Drugstore Building (Eczane Binası) is being used today as housing for employees of The Ministry of Culture . Hagia Eirene Church can be found on this side also and was used as a weapon storage place for some time during the Ottman period . Behind Hagia Eirene Church , there is the Historical royal mint structure (Darphane-I Amire) . At the western side of the courtyard , there is
Istanbul
Archaeological museum with its various buildings .
Near the end of the First Courtyard of Topkapi Palace ,
the ticket counters of the museum can be found . You can purchase a ticket for visiting the palace and another ticket to visit the Harem section of Topkapi palace .
