Palaces

Tekfur Palace

Tekfur Palace
It is not completely sure as to when the Tekfur Palace was built, but it is mentioned that the palace was built by the Byzantine Emperor, Porfirogenetos. Other sources write that it was built as an extension to the Blakhernai Palace during the 13th and 14th centuries.It is located between Edirnekapi and Egrikapi next to…
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Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace
During the second half of the 16th century, Rumeli Beylerbeyi Mehmet Paşa (a kind of General Governor of a larger region) of Sultan Murat III had a seaside mansion built. The name of Beylerbeyi stems from this. During later periods, the palace was adjoined to the Sultan’s lands. Sultan Mahmut II had a wooden palace…
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Topkapı Palace

Topkapı Palace
Topkapi Palace, which was used as the administrative and domicile center of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years, is the oldest and largest palace that has survived up until today. It was built by the conqueror of Istanbul, Mehmed II, between the years 1458-1478, and it was up until the 19th century that other…
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Topkapı Harem

Topkapı Harem
The literal meaning of the word harem in Arabic language is, “a holy place that everyone is not allowed to enter”. In Muslim societies, it is a notion which defines intimate family life. In Ottoman tradition, the word "Harem" was used in two different senses. First, "the sultan's harem" i.e. his family, and the second…
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Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Sarayı (1843-1856) The breathtaking complex is one of the best structures decorating the magnificent silhouette of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. It is also an excellent example of how a palace should look. Everything in and around the palace is exquisitely detailed and stunning. The word ‘Dolmabahçe’ means ‘filled-in garden’ in Turkish. The outer imperial…
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Dolmabahçe Palace Museum

Dolmabahçe Palace Museum
Dolmabahçe Müzesi, This spectacular palace consists of 285 rooms, 44 halls, 4 grand halls, 5 main staircases, 6 hamams, and 68 restrooms. The total usable area of the three-floor, single-structure building is 45,000 meters square. The outer walls of the structure are made of stone, and inner walls are made of brick. 14 tons of…
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Dolmabahçe Selamlık

Dolmabahçe Selamlık
Mâbeyn-i Hümâyûn, This is the administrative section of the palace. The rooms situated on the seaside were used by the Grand Vizier, and the rooms on the street side were used by other officers. There are four major halls on two floors, connected by an enormous crystal staircase at the center. Entered through the Privy…
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Dolmabahçe Ceremonial Hall

Dolmabahçe Ceremonial Hall
Tören (Muâyede) Salonu, Situated between the Selamlık and the Harem, linking both these sections and the ground level. This stuning hall is the most impressie part of the palace. The official entrance is on the seaside. It also has a sea gate for visitors arriving by boat. Standing on the 56 columns, the square hall…
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Dolmabahçe Harem

Dolmabahçe Harem
Harem, The Harem, the residence of the palace, consists of suites, rooms, and halls, covering almost  two thirds of the whole Palace. The eastern section of the L-shaped harem on the waterfront includes the private suites of the Sultan, Mother Sultan (Valide Sultan) and the Sultan's family (Harem-i Hümâyûn), whereas the quarters toward the street…
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Dolmabahçe Clock Museum

Dolmabahçe Clock Museum
Dolmabahçe Saat Müzesi, The Dolmabahçe Watch Museum, located at the old Inner Treasury building in the Harem Garden of the Dolmabahçe Palace, houses the exclusive watches owned by the National Palaces Clock Collection. After eight years of extensive repair and maintenance of these clocks, the museum was reopened to visitors in 2010. Meanwhile, new exhibition…
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