DOLMABAHCE PALACE

Discover Istanbul's Dolmabahçe Palace, a stunning testament to 19th-century Ottoman grandeur. It is built on the European shores of the Bosphorus. This palatial masterpiece dazzles with its blend of Neoclassical, Baroque, and Rococo architecture. Explore lavish rooms adorned with gold, crystal chandeliers, and expansive gardens, capturing the essence of Ottoman luxury.

Dolmabahçe Palace is a remarkable example of Ottoman architecture blended with European influences, showcasing the grandeur of the 19th-century empire. Located on the European shores of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, it was built between 1843 and 1856 under Sultan Abdulmecid I's command.Immerse yourself in this opulent historical gem as part of your Turkey holiday packages, where each intricate detail tells a story of a bygone era, creating an unforgettable experience in the heart of Istanbul.

The Palace reflects a mix of neoclassical, baroque, and rococo styles, aiming to embody the luxurious lifestyles of European monarchies of the time. The Palace is renowned for its majestic structure, which spans an impressive area and features 285 rooms. It has an elaborate layout that includes a ceremonial hall, harem, and a vast array of public reception areas. It is particularly famous for its grand ceremonial hall, which houses one of the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandeliers—a gift from Queen Victoria. 

The interior is equally striking, decorated with 14 tons of gold leaf, fine carpets, and expansive frescoes, making it a treasure trove of art and luxury. In addition to being a royal residence, Dolmabahçe Palace has played a significant role in Turkey's modern history. It was here that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his last days. Today, the Palace offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Ottoman sultans. It is also a testament to Turkey's cultural and architectural heritage.

Highlights

• Marvel at the grandeur of Turkey's most opulent Palace, Dolmabahçe, a symbol of imperial splendour.
• Admire the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, dazzling visitors in the grand Ceremonial Hall.
• Explore the lavish private quarters of the imperial Harem section, revealing the private lives of sultans.
• Experience architectural excellence and ornate decor in the Ceremonial Hall, a masterpiece of design.
• Uncover the rich history of Dolmabahçe Palace and witness the legacy of the Ottoman Empire firsthand.

How To Reach

1. By Road: From the city centre, specifically Taksim Square, Dolmabahçe Palace is just 1.3 kilometres away.

2. By Bus: Multiple buses such as lines DT1, DT2, 28, 28T, 30D, 22, 22B, D31, BSK1, BSK2 and 42T run from the city centre close to Dolmabahçe. The nearest bus stop is the Eminonu-EkspresYonu stop or the Eminonu-Sahil Yonu stop, located around 750 metres from the Palace. The Palace is just 10 minutes from either bus stop.

3. By Car: Driving from Taksim Square, drive northwest on Barbaros Blvd towards Yıldız Posta St. and take the route via Gümüşsuyu. Then, follow the signs towards Dolmabahçe Caddesi. The drive is usually around 10 minutes, depending on traffic.

4. By Tram: Take the T1 tram line, which stops at the Kabataş Tramvay İstasyonu near the Palace. From here, the Palace is located 350 metres or a 5-minute walk away.

5. On Foot: Walking from Taksim Square to Dolmabahçe Palace is feasible and enjoyable, particularly along the scenic route that passes through Gezi Park along the coast. It takes about 20 minutes on foot to cover the 1.2-kilometre distance.

6. By Ferry: For a scenic route, ferries from the Asian side of Istanbul (such as from Kadıköy or Üsküdar) arrive at Kabataş Ferry Terminal. Dolmabahçe Palace is 500 metres from the terminal or a 10-minute walk away.

Best Time To Visit

Dolmabahçe Palace is a splendid sight all year round, each season casting it in a unique light. It is a marvel and offers memorable experiences any time you visit.

1. Best Season: Spring, specifically from March to May, is the ideal time to explore Dolmabahçe Palace. The temperature ranges between 18°C to 25°C, providing a comfortable climate for strolling through its lavish gardens and opulent halls.

2. Best Day of the Week: Tuesdays to Thursdays are the best days to avoid the weekend crowds and enjoy a quieter visit. These days, there are typically fewer visitors, allowing for a more relaxed and personal viewing of the Palace's interiors and art.

3. Best Time of the Day: Morning hours right after opening or late afternoon before closing are optimal. The Palace opens from 09:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday. It offers a tranquil atmosphere during these times for visitors to appreciate the exquisite details of its architecture and décor.

Other Essential Information

Visitor Tips:

1. Buy your tickets online in advance to bypass long lines and ensure you don't miss out due to ticket limits.

2. Purchase separate admission for the Harem and Selamlik to explore all historical sections of the Palace.

3. Opt for a guided tour to access exclusive areas and dive deeper into the Palace's rich history.

4. Choose comfortable footwear as your visit will involve extensive walking through expansive palace grounds.

5. Interior photography is prohibited, so prepare to store your camera during the tour.

6. Confirm visiting hours and potential holiday closures by checking the official palace website beforehand.

7. Allocate enough time to fully appreciate the Palace and its four distinct gardens.

History of Dolmabahçe Palace

Bosphorus Strait was formerly a humble bay which was employed by the Ottoman Navy Squad as a regular deck for anchoring their ships. The course of the bay pass-through between the two districts of Istanbul, Besiktas, and Kabatas.

With the passing of the 17th century, the shoreline gradually transformed into a delightful garden with several outbuildings identified as Besiktas Waterfront Palace complex where the ottoman emperors used to unwind and lounge while relishing the views of the charming bay. 

In the time, the Sultans used to possess innumerable castles and mansions since they prefer dwelling in superior luxury and pleasure. Topkapı Palace used to be the best of all and considered to be the chief palace where Sultan and his family had savored their life.

But with the course of time, Topkapı began lacking in modern style, extravagance, and comfort, as opposed to the mansions of the European rulers. Therefore, in 1843 sultan Abdülmecid I commanded to establish a modern palace that is Dolmabahçe Palace, adjacent to the former Beşiktaş Sahil Palace.

It took the august architects, Garabet and Nikogos Balyan 13 years to complete the building project in 1856. With the inauguration of Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapi was evacuated. From 1856, Dolmabahçe Palace became the royal residence of all subsequent Ottoman Sultans, except for Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) who chose solitude living in Yıldız Palace.

After the demise of Abdulmecid, Dolmabahce started to be treated as the winter residence (Beylerbeyi Palace was the summer residence) by the imperial family and Mehmed V. From 1856, the palace was inhabited by the six royal generations until the eradication of the Caliphate in 1924 (Caliph Abdülmecid Efendi was the last Ottoman emperor).

The ownership of the palace was assigned to the national endowment of the brand-new Turkish Republic on March 3, 1924, according to the sanctioned law of War of Liberation. The Parliament planned to manage Dolmabahce as an official palace thus Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, used the place as his dwelling.

He spent his latter days under critical medical surveillance and died on November 10, 1938. In 1952, Dolmabahce Palace was converted into a museum and Now, the mansion is administered by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey under the supervision of Milli Saraylar Daire Başkanlığı, Directorate of National Palaces.

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The Architecture of Dolmabahçe Palace

The five generations of the Baliyan family were leading palace planners of the Ottoman Empire, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). And traditionally, the architecture plan of Dolmabahçe Palace was executed by Garabet Balyan and his sons. While the architecture plan was projected by Baliyans, the responsibilities of the construction were assigned to Hacı Said Ağa.

The construction of the entire Dolmabahçe Palace architecture is worth 5 million Ottoman gold lira (thirty-five tonnes of gold). More than 110,000 square meters of construction took place on 250,000 square meters of land. This awe-inspiring palace includes three principal divisions: Selamlik or Mabeyn-i Hümayun (Administrative quarters), Muayede Salonu (Ceremonial Hall) and Harem-i Hümayun ( Imperial Harem).

The Grand Ceremonial Hall was constructed in the middle of the other two divisions, where the emperor served hospitality to his honored visitors and foreign officials. Mabeyn-i Hümâyûn is in the southern wing, booked for the men, and includes the common representation quarters and the northern wing is Harem-i Hümâyûn that is a private domestic expanse for the Sultan and his household.

The harem section comprises eight interrelated quarters for the women of the sultan, for his mistresses and concubines, and his mother, every chamber comes with its individual lavatory. The palace has a total of 285 cabins, 44 galleries, 68 toilets, and 6 Turkish baths. 

The design of the Dolmabahçe Palace structure embraces the euphuistic amalgam of architectural styles- Rococo, Neoclassical, Baroque, and modern Ottoman. This innovative synthesis of various classical Ottoman customs broadens the path to embrace exceptional ideas while outlining the interior decoration of the palace.

The palace organization and furnishing exhibit the dominant magnetism of European customs and emblems on Ottoman heritage and history during the Tanzimat era. The exterior individually noted for the picturesque view of Bosporus and it also bestows a traditional European two-wing classification that is apportioned by a prominent Avant-Corps.

Amazing Facts about the Dolmabahçe Palace

1. About Interior Decoration

• The splendid charisma of Dolmabahce Palace's Interior Decoration conveys through hundreds of unusual facts that are extremely surprising. The Most Amazing Facts ate-
• 14 tons of gold had been used while ornamenting the mansion ceiling with gold leaves adornments.
• The palace introduces a vast collection of Hereke castle carpetings and 131 handcrafted silk carpets were requested to be embroidered in Hereke Imperial Factory. The collection of rugs also features a 150-year-old authentic bearskin rug which was basically conferred to the Sultan as a tribute from Tsar Nicholas I.
• Medhal hall has a crystal staircase namely banisters that are originally made of pure crystals.
• Dolmabahçe has the greatest collection of Baccarat crystal chandeliers in the world and the Bohemian crystal chandelier that can be sought in the Ceremonial Hall is the largest chandelier in the world. This largest chandelier was presented by Queen Victoria of England and the purpose was to flaunt her wealth.
• The largest Bohemian crystal chandelier of Dolmabahce Palace weighs 4.5 tons and consists of 750 bulbs.
• The palace owns over 600 oil paintings.

2. Technical standards

• From the very first place, Dolmabahce Palace was established with the most advanced technical standards of the time. The whole palace was equipped with advanced amenities.
• The sultans imported Gaslighting and water-closets from Great Britain, while the other royal villas in continental Europe were not met with such facilities. In the following years, electricity, a conventional heating machine, and an escalator were also established.

3. Reason For the Downfall of the Ottoman Empire

• The total estimated value of palace construction almost bankrupted the ottoman empire. The foundation of the entire Dolmabahçe Palace architecture is worth 5 million Ottoman gold lira (thirty-five tonnes of gold) which is equivalent to $1.5 billion in today's (2013) conditions.
• Another shocking fact is this total expenditure is epistolized to about a quarter of the annual taxation. This enormous budget ultimately became the sole reason for the downfall of the Ottoman Empire. According to the prevailing sources, the foundation was funded through perversion through the huge upshot of paper currency along with foreign credits.
• The tremendous investments allocated a huge burden on the nation pocket and caused extreme consumption of economic status of the Ottoman Empire, which ultimately brought doom to the kingdom as it defaulted on the federal claim in October 1875, with the succeeding verification in 1881 of monetary charge over the "sick man of Europe" by the customary laws of Europe.

4. Extraordinary Facts About Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

• Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was the founder of the Republic of Turkey and also the new owner of the Dolmabahce Palace. Instead of going for grand and lavish bedrooms, this noble leader chose a basic chamber of the palace as his bedroom in the palace. 
• When Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died in his chamber, all clocks of the room were stopped and set to 9:05 am as a pause in memory.

Tips on visiting Dolmabahçe Palace

• Be Sure About the Visiting Hours as the palace remains closed on every Monday and Thursday and the visiting hour is from 9 am to 4 pm. The palace can be kept closed during religious holidays and official holidays without prior notice. 
• Please also note that entry charges, opening times or dates of closing of the museums could be modified without prior notification, or that palace might be shut for refurbishments. To be sure of the closing days or opening hours, you can directly contact the palace authority (country code for Turkey is +90). 
• Book Your Tickets in Advance to Enjoy Hassle-free Excursion. Per day visitors to Dolmabahce Palace have been limited up to 3,000 and the ticket department may be shut earlier due to the attainment of the everyday ticket quota. 
• Make sure you get your tickets booked in advance through your travel agent. Tickets can be a bit expensive but are worth the price, both the Harem and the Selamik individually cost 20 lire/head. (Children under Six can have free access).
• You will not be permitted to have a tour of the privileged sections of the palace on your own. You have to wait until your scheduled tours come to the program. Your tour will be treated distinctly for the harem and selamlik sections by the tour guides. 
• Have a prior knowledge about the history of the Ottoman Empire and special features about the palace so that you can relish the most out of your single tour and appreciate every single aspect of the palace better.