Palazzo Corpi, Neoclassical building in Beyoğlu, Turkey
Palazzo Corpi is a four-story neoclassical building in Beyoğlu with marble floors and ornate interior decoration. Its walls display painted Greek mythological figures throughout the rooms and corridors.
The palazzo was built between 1873 and 1882 for Genoese merchant Ignazio Corpi. In 1907 it became the first United States government-owned diplomatic residence in Europe.
The building displays Italian architectural elements that reflect the strong European influence in Istanbul during the late 1800s. Its interior spaces show how European merchants and diplomats shaped the visual character of the city during this period.
The building houses approximately 87 rooms, multiple restaurants, and various communal spaces for different gatherings. The rooms are arranged in a way that allows visitors to move through the spaces easily.
Ambassador John Leishman secured funding for the purchase through an unusual poker game with congressional members. This unconventional method made the acquisition a rare occurrence in diplomatic history.
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