The Biggest Palace to See in Turkey – Dolmabahce
Standing out with its magnificent architecture among the places to visit in Istanbul, Dolmabahce Palace is the focus of attention of visitors every day of the week. There are many details to be discovered in the palace where everyone, big or small, comes. Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Istanbul.
Dolmabahce Palace is one of the great addresses to visit in Istanbul. Dolmabahce Palace, which has a magnificent architecture, is a large complex with many places to visit. The animals in his garden, the engravings in the details, and the clocks and paintings in the museum sections are worth exploring.
About the History of Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace, built in the 19th century, is an Ottoman work. This historical heritage site, which lives today, used to be the palaces of the Byzantine Empire. The area where the navy ships were active was filled in the 16th century, thus taking the name ‘dolmabagçe’.
The Ottoman sultans of the period started to use this place as a ‘private garden’. The group of mansions and pavilions built in this unique garden until the 19th century was called the ‘Beşiktaş Beach Palace’. With the innovation and modernization in the 19th century, Dolmabahce Palace emerged as a magnificent work.
Today, the historical building, which is visited every day of the week and by everyone, big and small, impresses with its magnificent architecture. The construction of the palace started on 13 June 1843 and its doors were opened on 7 June 1856.
The palace, which was built on an area of 110 thousand square meters, is located in the most beautiful place of the Bosphorus.
Dolmabahce Palace Architectural Structure
Famous people known for the construction of the palace are known as Abdülhalim Bey, Altunizade İsmail Zühtü Pasha, Karabet Balyan, Ohannes Serveryan, Nikoğos Balyan and James William Smith. The interior and exterior decorations of the palace were inspired by western styles. A wonderful piece of work was unearthed without straying too far from the old Ottoman cultural tradition.
The main structure of the palace is functionally divided into three parts; “Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn” (Selamlık), where the administration of the state is carried out, “Harem-i Hümâyûn” (Harem), which belongs to the private life of the sultan and his family, and the “Muayede Hall”, which is reserved for the important state ceremonies of the sultan between these two sections, is the ceremonial hall.
With 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 toilets and 6 baths, Dolmabahce Palace is the largest palace in Turkey as a monoblock building built on an area of 14.595 square meters. Reflecting the Rococo, Baroque and Neo-classical architectural styles, Dolmabahce Palace also differs from Topkapı Palace in terms of its architectural plan.