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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.
For more information please send
us e-mail
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info@istanbulhotelstours.com |
