Dolmabahçe Palace, Istanbul, Turkey – Glamorous European-Style Palace of Ottoman Empire

March 14, 2012 No Comments

Dolmabahçe Palace, IstanbulIn Photo Album: Istanbul Virtual Tour. Read more ... », Turkey10 of Wonderful Underground Sites Worldwide. Read more ... » – Glamorous European-Style Palace of Ottoman Empire - Dolmabahçe Palace is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world which was built in 19th century (between 1843 and 1856), served as the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire. Dolmabahçe Palace was the  first European-style palace built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan, ordered by Ottoman Sultans. This palace is very interesting for its furniture and fittings, and is a showcase of life in late Ottoman and early Republican period. Ataturk lived the final part of his life in Dolmabahçe Palace and passed away there. (Click photos for bigger images).

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Dolmabahçe Palace was built on a 110.000m2 area at the European side of Bosphorus Sea. The area where Dolmabahçe Palace is located is known since ancientBest Places To Go in Athens, Greece. Read more ... » ages as a bay with natural port appearance. The palace had been inhabited from 1856 by six Sultans and the last Caliph. After the foundation of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stayed in the palace for 4 years impermanently, between 1927-1938. He continued his studies in the palace and passed away there.

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The main structure that consists of two regular floors, one attic and one basement, is divided into three functional places. These places are Mabeyn-i Huumayun (or Administrative Part) where all country’s affairs were discussed, The Harem (Privy Chambers) wgere the Sultan and his family lived, and the Grand Ceremonial Hall where Sultan received notables of the state duriing religiousPlace of the day: Metéora, Greece, a Combination of Peaceful and Breathtaking Views of Nature. Read more ... » days and the state ceremonies in between these two places.

It is always enjoyable to see Dolmabahçe Palace when you take a Bosphorus tour (by the ship). Fascinatiing palace, it is. But to make it even more exciting, you must come here and enter the area since taking a Bosphorus Tour only allows you to see the other side of Dolmabahçe Palace. It is a complex of different departments such as Glass Factory, Smelter, Aviary, Stable and places reserved to specific usages. In the complex there are also Crown Prince Section as well as Clock Tower and Departure Kiosks behind the Crown Prince Section.

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In Dolmabahçe Palace you will see a great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons of chandelier (seriously the chandelier was magnificent!). Dolmabahçe Palace has 285 rooms, 44 halls, 68 toilets, and 6 Turkish baths. It is the biggest palace in Turkey based on an area of 14.595 m2. So, taking the tour to the whole area might take about 2-3 hours.

Practical Information:

Dolmabahçe Palace opens every day except in Mondays and Thursdays. From November until March the schedule is from 8.30am-4pm whilst on April-October from 8.30am-4.30pm. Entrance Fee: 20 TL. The downside of visiting Dolmabahçe Palace is that you are not allowed to take pictures or videos.

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