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Nuruosmaniye Cad. No:32 Cagaloglu Eminonu Istanbul 34440 Tel 90 (212) 520 91 92 PBX
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PALACES
DOLMABAHCE PALACE: Built in the middle 19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit, Dolmabahce has an impressive six hundred meter frontage on the Istanbul Bogazi. The most important part is the vast reception salon, with 56 columns, and a huge crystal chandelier weighing 4 1/2 tons with 750 lights. The architecture of the Harem is a stark contrast to that of the rest of the palace. Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died there on the 10th of November, 1938. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday.) BEYLERBEYI PALACE: Situated on the Asian side of the Istanbul Bogazi, Beylerbeyi palace was built by Sultan Abdulaziz in the 19th century of white marble. It possesses a beautiful garden with magnolia trees. It was used as a summer residence of the sultans and a guest house for visiting foreign dignitaries. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday.)
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TOPKAPI PALACE: Overlooking the Istanbul Bogazi and the Golden Horn stands
the Topkapi Palace which was the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the
15th to the 19th centuries. The first courtyard is a magnificent wooded garden.
On the right of the second court, shaded by cypress and plane trees is the
Imperial Kitchen, now housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and
Chinese Porcelains, while on the left is the Harem, the secluded quarters of the
wives and concubines of the Sultan. The third court contains the Hall of
Audience, the Library of Sultan Ahmet III, an exhibition of robes worn by the
sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury and
lastly, an exhibition of miniatures. In the center of the third court is the
Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed is located
(Open every day except Tuesday.)