TOPKAPI PALACE
On a finger of land at the
confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea
of Marmara stands the Topkapi Palace, that maze of
buildings that was the focal point of the Ottoman Empire
between the 15th and 19th centuries. Construction of New
Palace (Topkapı Palace) is started after 1466, and
completed on 1478, a couple of years before the death of
Fatih. This palace is not a building like other European
Palaces, and composed of various mansions and chambers.
Initially constructed Çinili Mansion is a Glass Palace and
concluded on 1472. Mansion with Middle East architecture
character and two layers become Archeology Museum on 1875
and Turkish Islam Pieces of Art Museum on 1908. It is also
opened as Fatih Pieces of Art Museum on 1953. Çinili
Mansion, Kubbealtı Arzodası (Under Dome Submission Room),
Hasoda, Treasury, Pantries and Expeditionist like barracks,
a part of kitchens, patients room, hamam, now a library,
Ağalar Mosque, stables and other buildings' construction
is followed and finally structure is completed with the
construction of main gate at Sultanahmet direction, known
as Bab - ı Humayun and Palace ramparts on 1478. Palace
residents, which were approximately 750 persons during
Fatih period, become more crowd and during XIXth century,
it reached to 5000 during normal days and extraordinary
days like festivals 10.000. For this reason, new additions
had been made to this palace. Topkapı Palace Harem
division is constructed between 1574 -1595 during IIIrd
Sultan Murad period and then Harem residents in Bazayıt
had been moved to this place. Harem residents were 474
persons at the beginning of XIXth century. There were
Black Eunuch in Sultans Palace Chamber while entering the
Harem, and on the upper level of it, Prince's School for
little princes. In the course of time, Enderun School,
Master Doctor's Room, Enderun Pharmacy, mansions within
internal courtyards and summer mansions at Sarayburnu
coasts are constructed in the Palace, kitchens and stables
are widened, and new mosques and libraries had been added.
Opening hours: Daily 09.00 – 17.00,
winter closed Tuesday.
DOLMABAHCE PALACE
Built in the reign of Sultan I
Abdulmecit during the 19th century, this over-ornate
palace lies along the European coast of the Bosphorus.
Dolmabahce Palace was constructed between 1843 and 1856,
mixing different European artistic influences and built by
Abdulmecit’s architect, Karabet Balya. It was built over
three levels, and symmetrically planned, with 285 chambers
and 43 halls. It has a 600m long pier along the river,
with two huge monumental gates. The palace is surrounded
by well-maintained and immaculate gardens, with an immense
56-columned greeting hall, with 750 lights illuminated
from 4.5 tonnes of crystal chandelier. The entrance was
used for meeting and greeting Sultans, and opposite the
ceremonial hall was the harem. The interior decoration,
furniture, silk carpets and curtains all remain with
little defect. The palace has a level of luxury not
present in most other palaces, with walls and ceilings
decorated with gold, and European art from the period. Top
quality silk and wool carpets, southeast Asian hand-made
artifacts, and crystal candlesticks adorn every room. The
men’s hamam (public bath) is adorned with alabaster marble,
and the harem also contains the Sultan’s bedrooms and the
women and servants’ divisions. One of the highlights is
the throne room, which stands at an amazing 36-metres high
– almost twice the height of the rest of the rooms. The
east wing is home to the Museum of Fine Arts.
Telephone number to book
guided tours: (0212) 23 69 600
Opening hours: Daily 09.00 –
16.00, except Monday and Thursday.
CIRAGAN PALACE
The most picturesque spots along the Bosphorus and Golden
Horn were reserved for the palaces and mansions for the
Sultans, and other important dignitaries, most of which
have now gone. The huge palace was constructed by
architect Serkis Balyan in 1871, as appointed by Sultan
Abdul Aziz, from the ruins of the old palace. The interior
was rebuilt, at a cost of four million gold coins,
beginning with covering the ceiling with wood and the
walls with marble. The rooms were decorated with rare
carpets, furniture, gold and silver. The sides of the
building were decorated with coloured marble, and
monumental gates connected it to Yildiz Palace, via a
bridge, which is how the harem women went between the two,
in total privacy. It briefly housed the Turkish Parliament
from 1908, but was destroyed by a fire two years later,
and was only rebuilt in 1991. Now, it is Istanbul’s
premier luxury hotel, and has retained something of its
former glory.
BEYLERBEYI PALACE
Beylerbeyi, in which the Asian
Tower of Bosphorus Bridge was constructed, is a beautiful
district allotted for palaces since the Byzantium era.
Sultan Abdulaziz built the Palace, to replace the older,
wooden palace, between 1861 and 1865. Eastern and Turkish
motifs are used with Western design elements, on the sides
and for internal decoration, and the atmosphere is
something resembling that of Dolmabahce Palace.
The building comprises of three floors, and contains 26
rooms and six halls, which includes the harem and men's
greeting rooms. The interior is decorated with Bohemian
chandeliers, valuable tiles and ceramic vases. Silver-edged
furniture and luxurious carpets add something to the
beauty, and even till today the authentic furniture,
carpets, curtains and other property have been well
preserved.A huge pool, terraces and stables, face the back
cliff. A road and tunnel, used until 1970, passed under
the palace garden and were used by the most distinguished
foreign dignitaries when visiting the palace.
Open daily except Monday
and Thursday.
YILDIZ PALACE
This vast park consists of
mansions, gardens and lakes, the whole area surrounded by
high walls, and all set in a superb hillside location.
Popular at weekends and holidays with locals, it offers
one of the few green areas within the city centre, and is
a great place for walking, relaxing and eating. There is a
steep walk up the hill from Ciragan Caddesi up to the
first pavilion, but rewards are cooling breezes and
sweeping views of the Bosphorus.
It was the centre of the Ottoman Empire for 30 years,
during the reign of Abdulhamid II, and the second largest
palace in Istanbul. Its main structure, Yildiz Palace, was
built in the old Ottoman style and the pavilions which are
dotted around the park were transformed into a power base.
The most important remaining building is Sale Koske, where
receptions were held, and is the largest and most ornate
and reveals the luxury in which the sultans lived and
entertained. The first section was modelled on a Swiss
Chalet, the second two completed in the late 19th century.
Some of the mansions are undergoing restoration, but Sale
is open for visitors, and two have terraces serving food
and drinks. Further along the path is a State museum, the
Belediye Sehir Muzesi, and Yildiz Sarayi Theatre.
Park: Open daily 09.00 – 17.30
Sale Kosku: Open daily 09.30 – 17.00, except Monday and
Thursday.
Museum: Open daily
09.00 – 16.30, except Monday.
