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Topkapi Palace
On a spit of land at the confluence of the
Bosphorus, the olden Horn and the Marmara Sea
stands the Topkapi Palace, the maze of
buildings at the center of the Ottoman Empire
between the 15th and 19th centuries.In these
opulent surroundings the sultans and their
court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded
garden fills the outer, or first, court. On
the right of the second court, shaded by
cypress and plane trees, stand the palace
kitchens, now galleries exhibiting the
imperial collection of crystal, silver and
Chinese porcelain. To the left the Harem, the
secluded quarters of the wives, concubines and
children of the sultan, charms visitors with
the echoes of the intrigue of centuries. Today
the third court holds the Hall of Audience,
the Library of AhmetIII, an exhibition of
imperial costumes worn by the sultans and
their families, the famous jewels of the
treasury and a priceless collection of
miniatures from medieval manuscripts. In the
center of this innermost sanctuary, the
Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrines the
relics of the Prophet Mohammed brought to
Istanbul when the Ottomans assumed the
caliphate of Islam. (Open every day except
Tuesday.)
Dolmabahce Palace
Built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdul
MecitI, the facade of Dolmabahce Palace
stretches for 600 meters along the European
shore of the Bosphorus. The vast reception
salon, with 56 columns, and a huge crystal
chandelier weighing four and a half tons and
lit by 750 lights never fails to astonish
visitors. At one time, birds from all over the
world were kept in the Bird Pavilion for the
delight of the palace's privileged residents.
Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died
in Dolmabahge on the 10th November, 1938.(Open
every day except Monday and Thursday.)
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Interior of Dolmabahce Palace |
Gate Relief of Dolmabahce Palace |
In the 19th century Sultan Abdul Aziz
built the Beylerbeyi Palace, a fantasy in
white marble amid magnolia filled gardens,
on the Bosphorus's Asian shore. Used as
the Sultan's summer residence and hunting
lodge, it was offered to the most
distinguished foreign dignitaries during
their visits. Empress Eugenie of France
was among its residents. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday.)
In addition to the State Pavilions at the
Yildiz Palace, the compound includes a
series of pavilions and a mosque. It was
completed by Abdul Hamit II at the end of
the 19th century. The Sale, 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, plants and trees,
gathered from every part of the world, the
palace grounds offer one of the most
beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus.
Because of restoration work, only the Sale
and park are open to the public. (Open
every day except Monday and Thursday.)
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Aynali Kavak Pavillion |
Interior, Goksu Pavillion |
The Goksu Palace, also known as Kucuksu.
takes its name from the fresh water
streams which debouch into the Bosphorus
near the tiny palace. Built by Abdul Mecit
I in the middle of the 19th century, it
was used as a summer residence. (Open
every day except Monday and Thursday.)
Originally built in the 18th century and
later restored by various sultans, the
Aynali Kavak Summer Pavilion assumed its
name, Mirrored Poplar, when its famed
mirrors were installed in 1718. A gift of
the Venetians, this palace on the Golden
Horn is one of the most beautiful examples
of traditional Turkish architecture. (Open
every day except Monday and Thursday.)
The 19th century Ihlamur Pavilion is named
after the linden trees that grow in its
gardens. Now in the heart of metropolitan
Istanbul, when it was originally
constructed the pavilion lay in the
rolling countriside that surrounded the
city. The Merasim Pavilion was used for
official ceremonies while the Maiyet
Pavilion sheltered the sultan's entourage
and on occasions, his harem during their
excursions out of the palace confines.
(Open every day except Monday and
Thursday.)
Ihlamur pavillion
The Maslak Pavilions on a shady green hill
were conceived by Sultan Abdul Aziz as
hunting lodges and are superb examples of
the late 19th century Ottoman decorative
style. The Limonluk Green House is
particularly noteworthy. (Open every day
except Monday and Thursday.) |
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