As one of the oldest structures within the palace walls, the Conqueror’s Pavilion was built around 1462 by Sultan Mehmed II himself. Positioned at the highest point of the Third Courtyard, it commands a majestic, panoramic view over the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, serving as the imperial gaze turned upon the world. With its grand portico and expansive terrace, it was originally conceived as a private space for the Sultan’s pleasure and repose.
Over time, this personal retreat was transformed into one of the most important locations in the empire: the Enderun Treasury (Hazine-i Hümayun). Behind its secure walls, the most priceless treasures of the Ottoman dynasty were housed, including the legendary Spoonmaker’s Diamond, the Topkapi Dagger, and the kaftans of the Sultans. Thus, the pavilion stands as a unique dual symbol: a place of serene imperial leisure and the ultimate vault of the empire’s collective might.