Dolmabahce Palace

The Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul, commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid, was completed by a team of European Ottoman architects. The building plan was traditional, but European styles extensively inspired the exterior and interior decorations. The new palace had a predetermined design layout and incorporated contemporary European styles, like Rococo, Baroque, and Neo-classical.

The main structure has three functional components, the administrative Mabeyn-i-Humayun, the private Harem-i-Humayun, and the ceremonial Muayede Hall. Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul has 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 washrooms, and 6 Turkish Baths, and is Turkey’s largest monolithic palace.

Also Read: Dolmabahce Palace Architecture

The “dolma-bahce” or “filled-in garden” on the banks of Bosphorus was a favourite of the Ottomans. The old Topkapi Palace lacked the splendour of modernity, and as Ottoman-European interactions increased, new styles were appreciated. The need for a new palace culminated in the construction of the Dolmabahce Palace. The last six Ottoman Sultans and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lived in the Palace and took his last breath here as well. Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul has seen revolutionary political developments in modern Turkey and was conferred a museum-palace status and opened to tourists in 1984.

Suggested Read: Dolmabahce Palace History

Situated amidst a well-preserved vast green area, Dolmabahce Palace gardens are flanked by the sea and land. The gardens showcase European features and are geometrically arranged, with ponds, lanterns, vases, and sculptures adorning the green spaces.

The gardens have four major sections, which are classified and positioned according to the functions of the structures around them. The sections are Hasbahce which is the largest section, Kusluk Bahcesi or the Bird Garden, Harem Garden which resembles a courtyard, and the Crown Garden.

As you walk in from the Medhal, another enchanting example of Dolmabahce Palace architecture awaits at the Tiled Room, also known as Clerk’s Hall. The room is adorned with French-style furniture, and priceless porcelain vases line the chamber.

The walls feature stunning artworks from the Dolmabahce Palace Collection, including the collection’s largest painting, the Surre Procession by Stefano Ussi. Other prominent paintings here include a painting of the fire at Paris Municipal Theatre signed by Rudolf Ernst and one of a Dutch village girl by Delandre.

Also Visit: Dolmabahce Palace Gates

The Medhal Hall, or the Main Entrance Hall, is the entrance to Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul. Two sets of rooms lead off towards the sea and land. The sea-facing rooms belonged to top Ottoman officials, while the land-facing rooms were of the palace administrators, Meclis-i-Mebusan and Meclis-i-Ayan members.

The Medhal has boulle tables on both ends and a fireplace bearing Sultan Abdulmecid’s monogram. A stunning English chandelier lights up the room with its sixty arms, while Hereke furniture upholstery and royal red draperies adorn this guest waiting room.

You Should Also Visit: Dolmabahce Palace Sufera Hall

The founding father and first President of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, spent several years surrounded by the magnificence of Dolmabahce Palace. As his health deteriorated, he lived his final days in the Palace and died in 1938.

Ataturk’s Room is the room where he spent his time at the Palace and has been preserved in the same fashion as it had been when he lived here. The clock in this room still points to 9:05, the time of the leader’s death.

Checkout: Dolmabahce Palace and Uskudar Guided Tour

The Harem was an important part of Dolmabahce Palace Istanbul, much like other palaces of the empire. The Dolmabahce Harem included separate quarters for the royal family, chambers for the Sultan’s concubines, rooms intended to educate and house the Sultan’s children, and the Sultan’s private living quarters.

There were also spaces where the royal family indulged in leisure and entertainment activities. The Dolmabahce Palace Harem is a magnificent glimpse into the private lives of the Ottoman royal family and houses priceless treasures from the Ottoman era.

Also Visit: Dolmabahce Palace Red Room