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Palaces
 On
a spot of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden
Horn and the Marmara Sea, stands Topkapi Palace, a maze
of buildings at the center of the Ottoman Empire between
the l5th and l9th centuries. In these opulent surroundings
the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent
wooded garden fills the outer, or first, court. To the right
of the second court, shaded by cypress and plane trees,
stand the palace kitchens, now galleries exhibiting the
imperial collections 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
echoes of a centuries old intrigue. Today, the third court
holds the Hall of Audience, the Library of Ahmet III, 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 Эstanbul when the Ottomans assumed the caliphate
of Islam. (Open every day except Tuesday.) For more information
on Topkapi Palace see homepage of Ministry of Culture.
 Built
in the mid-l9th century by Sultan Abdьlmecit I, the facade
of Dolmabahзe 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. Atatьrk, founder of the
Turkish Republic, died in Dolmabahзe on November 10,1938.
(Open every day except Monday and Thursday)
In the 19th century, Sultan Abdьlaziz built the Beylerbeyi
Palace, a fantasy in white marble amid magnolia filled gardens,
on the Bosphorus's Aegean Shore. Used as the Sultan's summer
residence, it was offered to the most distinguished foreign
dignitaries during their visits. Empress Eugenie of France
was among its residents. (open everyday except Monday and
Thursday.)
In addition to the State Pavilions at Yildiz Palace, the
compound includes a series of pavilions and a mosque. It
was completed by Abdьlhamit 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 huge park of flowers, shrubs 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.)
The Gцksu Palace, also known as Kьзьksu,
takes its name from the streams which empty into the Bosphorus
near the tiny palace. Built by Abdьlmecit I in the
middle of the l9th century, it was used as a summer residence.
(Open every day except Monday and Thursday)
Originally built in the l8th century and later restored
by various sultans, the Aynali Kavak Summer Pavilion assumed
its name, Mirrored Poplar, when its famed mirrors, a gift
from some of the Venetian, were installed in 1718. 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
Эstanbul, when it was originally constructed, the pavilion
lay in the rolling countryside 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.)
The Maslak Pavilion on a shady green hill was conceived
by Sultan Abdьlaziz as hunting lodges and are superb
examples of the late l9th century Ottoman decorative style.
These are particularly noteworthy. (Open every day except
Monday and Thursday.)
The Florya Atatьrk Sea Pavilion served as a summer
residence for Turkish presidents. Situated in a T-shaped
design jutting out onto the Marmara Sea, this building constructed
in 1935, serves as a showcase for some of the loveliest
examples of early 20th century furnishings. Atatьrk
was the first president to stay here. (Open weekdays except
Monday and Thursday.)
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