A palace built in 1459, a site designed in 2026.

This site — topkapi.istanbul-tourist-information.com — conforms to WCAG 2.2 level AA. Every release is manually tested with keyboard-only navigation and two screen readers before deploy. We ran an independent audit on 3 April 2026 with a Turkish accessibility consultancy; the report is available on request.

Our guided-entry product is unusual: a licensed human guide walks with you for 45 minutes. That human is a live accessibility resource — they can repeat information, slow the pace, adapt the route. The booking flow captures your access needs so the guide is briefed ahead of your arrival, not improvising at the gate.

Semantic HTML with a correct heading outline (verified via NVDA's Ins+F7 list). Focus rings visible on every interactive element. Skip links from the top of every page. Contrast body text 11.2:1, display 10.4:1.

Forms: every input labelled, autocomplete attributes on the booking flow, inline validation. The guide-language selector uses lang attributes so screen readers pronounce Türkçe correctly.

Motion: prefers-reduced-motion honoured throughout. Animations collapse to 0.01ms; scroll-reveal disables.

Language tagging: Ottoman Turkish architectural terms (Bab-ı Hümayun, Hünkar Sofası, Harem) are tagged lang="tr" for correct pronunciation.

As of this audit, no blocking issues. One minor refinement in progress.

Large-print PDF, plain-text, audio recording, braille-ready, Easy Read — email accessibility@istanbul-tourist-information.com. First response within 5 business days, delivery within 15.

The guided-introduction transcript is available in six languages as a large-print PDF on request, so you have reference material during and after your visit.

Topkapı Palace is managed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. We are the online booking operator; physical access is constrained by a building that predates the concept of accessibility by about four centuries.

Step-free routes exist through the First, Second, and part of the Third Courtyards, and the Treasury's ground-floor exhibition. The Fourth Courtyard has a modern ramp. The Harem is not step-free — the ceremonial staircase has 14 non-negotiable steps.

Companion tickets free for essential carers — email us the booking reference. Wheelchair loan available at the gate free of charge (Ministry service, first-come basis, 12 chairs total). Accessible WC in the Second Courtyard.

Sensory: courtyards exposed to direct sun and wind; indoor galleries quiet and climate-controlled. No flashing visual effects anywhere in the palace.

When you book, there's an optional field: "anything our guide should know". Use it. If you tell us you're deaf and prefer face-to-face so you can lip-read, we match you with a guide who is comfortable speaking clearly and facing the group. If mobility is the concern, we pace the route differently and skip optional detours.

None of our guides sign BSL or TID. We're working on it. If you need a sign-language interpreter, we partner with İşitme Engelliler Federasyonu — email us 14 days before your visit and we arrange it at no charge.

Service animals are always permitted. The Ministry has confirmed guide dogs in accordance with Turkish disability law.