ISTANBUL'S PALACES
Topkapi
Topkapi was the first Ottoman palace to be built
(1466-1478) in the newly conquered capital of
the Empire. Located on the spot where the foundations of the city were
first laid in ancient times by Megarian Chief Byzas in 7th century BC,
the palace boasts one of the most beautiful views of Istanbul,
incorporating the Bosphorus, the Golden
Horn, the two shores and the sea of Marmara.
Unlike the European palaces, Topkapi is not a single monumental structure
but a more organic complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas
spread over the tip of the historical peninsula at the entry of the Golden
Horn. It was turned into a museum in 1924 and has become one of the
most attractive palace-museums in the world. The most attractive exhibition
halls of the palace are: treasury, Islamic holly relics, costumes of the sultans,
divan, harem,
kitchens
and kiosks. There are appealing eating and resting facilities for visitors on the
palace grounds with a great view.
Open daily between 9:30-5:00 p.m. except Tuesdays.
Tel: (212) 512 04 80
Dolmabahce
Dolmabahçe was built in 1853 in the rapidly growing northern section
of the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus,
to replace the Topkapi Palace which was pulled down
for the purpose. It housed Sultans and
their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk
during his visits to Istanbul.
Atatürk
died here on the 10th of November, 1938. The palace now serves as a museum
and a guest-house used for receptions for foreign statesmen.
Open daily between 9:00-4:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays
Tel: (212) 258 54 44
Yildiz
Yildiz, one of the last residences of the Ottoman
sultans, was completed by Abdulhamit II at the end of the 19th century.
The Sale (Chalet), the largest and most exquisite of the buildings, reveals
the luxury in which the sultans lived and
entertained. Set in a very large park of flowers, tulips, plants
and trees gathered from every part of the world, the palace grounds offer
one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Open daily between 8:30-5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays
Tel: (212) 276 10 22
Beylerbeyi
Beylerbeyi was initially the residence of the Governor General in charge
of Anatolia, but was rebuilt in the style of
Dolmabahce
and Çiragan palaces as a royal palace in
the mid-19th century on the Asian side of the Bosphorus
and served as the summer residence of the sultans.
It was formed by two sections; Selamlik and Harem.
Open daily between 9:00-5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays
Tel: (216) 321 93 20
Ciragan
The name Ciragan comes from the word "cerag" which means torch in Persian.
The area in which the Palace is located was called Ceragan because of the
famous Ottoman parties which were held in
tulip
gardens with torches. The palace was built during the reign of Abdulmecit
and was designed by the Armenian architect Serkis
Balyan. The building was constructed using the financial loans that were
obtained for restructuring the water system of Istanbul
and the construction of a new railway. The construction took 12 years.
This is the last palace built by the Ottoman Empire
for the royal family.
Unfortunately the main building was destroyed by fire on 6th of January
1910. Only the exterior walls remained from the structure. The main building
has been renovated and with the addition of a modern hotel building the
site has been converted to a hotel. The other surviving buildings in the
complex are being used as schools.
Open everyday, it's a hotel now (Ciragan Palace Kempinski)
Tel: (212) 258 33 77
Ihlamur Kasri
Lovely imperial rest house built in the midst of Linden trees, where
you can have a cup of coffee, or as the
Turkish
word ihlamur implies, a cup of Linden tea.
Open daily between 9:00-5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays
Tel: (212) 261 29 91
Maslak Kasri
The sultans's hunting lodge. One pavilion
of the palace now serves as a cafeteria.
Open daily between 9:00-5:00 p.m. except Mondays & Thursdays.
Tel: (212) 276 10 22
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