Küçüksu Palace, Ottoman palace on Bosphorus Strait, Turkey
Küçüksu Palace is a history museum on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, composed of three levels and displaying neobaroque elements. The facades carry decorated balconies, while the interiors hold fireplaces carved from Italian marble.
Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid I commissioned the Balyan family to build a new palace in 1857, replacing an older timber construction. The architects chose European styles that reflected the court's interest in Western forms.
The palace rooms preserve elements of Ottoman residential culture, including furniture imported from France and chandeliers crafted from Bohemian crystal. Carpets from Hereke demonstrate the textile craftsmanship valued at court.
Access to the museum passes through an entrance gate near the water, from which several staircases connect the three floors. The rooms remain furnished with decorative items that convey a sense of the original purpose.
The building served as a film location for a James Bond movie, where it appeared as an estate in Azerbaijan. It was later also used in a Bollywood production.
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