Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace is an Ottoman administrative building in Beşiktaş district directly on the European Bosporus shore in Turkey. The complex divides into three main sections with several reception halls, living quarters, and a central ceremonial hall under a high dome.

The Sultan commissioned Armenian architects to design the project starting in 1843, completed by 1856. The residence was meant to replace the old Topkapı Seraglio and show the opening of the empire toward European influences.

The name means "filled garden" and refers to the reclaimed shoreline where the building stands. Elaborate crystal chandeliers from Bohemia hang in many halls, while gilded stucco decorations on the ceilings frame the walls.

Guided walks lead through the representative men's quarters and then through the private living spaces of the harem. Photography is not allowed inside, so careful observation during the visit is especially worthwhile.

The last Ottoman Sultan left the premises in 1922, and Atatürk used it afterward as presidential residence until his death in 1938. All clocks in the building have since been set to the hour of his death at 9:05.

Location: Beşiktaş

Inception: 1823

Architects: Garabet Amira Balyan, Nigoğayos Balyan

Official opening: 1856

Architectural style: Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical architecture, Ottoman architecture

Website: https://millisaraylar.gov.tr

GPS coordinates: 41.03944,29.00167

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:03