Accoring to Greek mythology, when Jason and the Argonauts sailed for the Golden Fleece with their ship Argos, they took refuge in a little bay at the west shore, in the south entrance of the Bosphorus. This story is not very well known among Turks, but this natural harbor is believed to be the point where Fatih The Conqueror slided the fleet on to the Golden Horn. These two stories might be myths, but it is know that in the same harbor both the Byzantines and Ottomans anchored their navy. And one of the richest palaces of the world, Dolmabahce Palace is right here!
In Dolmabahce Palace, you will both witness the unbelievable grandeur of the dissolution era of Ottoman Empire and the rooms in which Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, spent his last days!
The little bay where the palace now stands, starting in 17th century, was filled from time to time and was adorned with kiosks and pavilions and started to be one of the gardens in Bosphorus with the name of “Dolmabahce” (filled garden). Abdulmecid demolished the wooden Besiktas Palace in 1843 and hired two leading Ottoman architects, Karabet Balyan and his son Nikogos to lay the foundations of the Dolmabahce Palace.
Even though its construction which started in 1843 was finished in 1853, because of the Crimean War the opening of Dolmabahce Palace, which cost more than 5 billion gold pieces and is an eclectic but a magnificent building, was postponed until 1856.
It consists of a main building with three storeys including the basement, on an area more than 110.000 squre meters, and approximately 20 other sections such as a barn, a mill, a pharmacy, a kitchen, a foundry , and several more. The area where currently Swissôtel is located was the garden of the palace and instead of Inonu Stadium, there was the palace’s barn! The palace has a 45.000 square meter area, 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets. The length of the marble dock is exactly 600 meters!
The main building of the palace is formed of Mabeyn, which was designed for the administration of the empire, Harem, where the sultan and his family lived, and Muayede (Ceremonial) Hall, which is between of the former two and was used for important governmental ceremonies and to exchange greetings between the sultan and the significant politicians.
The Paul Garnier clock which was set on the Clock Tower by Johann Meyer, the watchmaker of the palace, still works! In the Clock Museum in the garden, there are precious Ottoman and European clocks some of which are unique examples. Who do you think is the curator of the museum? Şule Gürbüz (perhaps the first female watchmaker of Turkey), who is the apprentice of Recep Gürgen, the apprentice of Wolgang Meyer, the son and the apprentice of Johann Meyer!
Even though it was made following the European palaces, Dolmabahce Palace is not very far from Turkish domestic traditions in its indoor architecture and functional organization. For example the palace does not have a separate dinining room despite its grandeur! The most important part is Mabeyn, where the sultan carried out the governmental affairs.
In this section, the Crystal Stairs and Sultan’s Bathroom, whose marbles were provided from Egypt, are worth seeing.
The Ceremonial Hall, with its area beyond 2000 square meters, 56 columns and a 36 meter high dome, is the most luxurious section of the palace. Thought for a long time that it was a present from Queen Victoria, the chandelier hanging from the dome weighs 4.5 tons!
The Harem which forms two thirds of the palace has the sultan’s, his wives’, his children’s and the women workers’ bedrooms, working chambers and lounges.
The bedroom in which he died and the study room of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, are also here.
You will see that all the clocks in the palace are stopped at 9.05. Do not be surprised: This is a sign of respect to Atatürk, who died on 10th of November in 1938, at 9.05 in the morning…
After you leave the palace, if you walk towards Beşiktaş do not forget to take a photo with the soldier who is on a respect guard in front of the main door, standing still like the Buckingham guards!
The palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, 1st of January and the first days of religious feasts. Other days 09.00 – 15.00
Adress: Dolmabahçe Cad. Beşiktaş - İSTANBUL
www.dolmabahce.gov.tr
