The Tekfur Palace is located in the Fatifah district of the Adirna Kabi district, adjoining the waters of the Black Sea, between Bab Adirna Kabi and Agrikapi in the Fatih district of the European section of Istanbul.
It is a palace with thick walls consisting of 3 floors dating back to the Byzantine era, but there is no accurate information about the history of its construction, but according to some references, it dates back to the 10th century and was built by the Byzantine emperor Porphyrogenitos and is part of another palace, Others say it dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries and was known as Blackhairn Palace as an administrative and residential complex of the ruling family.
The palace was damaged and partially damaged during the conquest of Qustiniyya by Sultan Muhammad al-Fateh in 1453. Construction for the duration of the Ottoman conquest of the city remained desolate. After a period, it was used in several uses, including military use, and was used as a private zoo for the Sultan at some point. Where the zoo was built here in the late 17th century. According to John Sanderson, who visited Istanbul in the 16th century, the 40-year-old ambassador wanted to visit the zoo in order to see the giraffe. When he visited the park with the giraffe death a few days ago He went and dug the grave of the giraffe to see this strange animal that he had heard of. The place was also used in the 18th century for the manufacture of ceramics and was used in the 19th century for the manufacture of glassware. The famous Kashikji diamond was also found in the dustbin here.
Archaeological excavations continue in the Tekfur Palace to this day.
