| Description |  |
The First Courtyard contained purely functional structures and some royal ones, many of which have disappeared over time. The structures still remaining today are the former Imperial Mint (Darphane-i Âmire, constructed in 1727), the church of Hagia Irene and various fountains. The Byzantine church of Hagia Irene was never destroyed by the conquering Ottomans and survived by being used a storehouse and royal armoury.
This court was also known as the Court of the Janissaries or the Parade Court. Visitors entering the palace would follow the path towards the Gate of Salutation and the Second Courtyard of the palace. Court officials and janissaries would line up the path dressed in their best garbs and waiting. The visitors had to dismount from the horses by the end of the First Courtyard at the beginning of the Second Courtyard. |
