Ottoman Palaces

Istanbul, Turkey

This page contains pictures from Dolmabahce and Topkapi Palaces.

Istanbul (Topkapi Palace)

(High-Res)	Looking back through the Imperial Gate (entrance to the First Courtyard of Topkapi Palace) we can see the Blue Mosque. After conquering Constantinople in 1453, Sultan Mehmet II ("the Conqueror") found the remains of the Great Palace of the Byzantine Emperors to be uninhabitable (in fact, the imperial family had been mostly living in the much smaller Blachernae Palace for several hundred years by the time of the conquest). He therefore decided to build a new palace (actually two of them, Topkapi being the second). The basic plan of the palace, essentially a succession of open courtyards, gardens, and lavish pavilions, was laid out by Mehmet II between 1459 and 1465.	(High-Res)	This is the Gate of Salutations, entrance to the Second Courtyard. Topkapi Palace served as the seat of the Divan, the supreme executive and judicial council of the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately, the most amazing portions of Topkapi Palace are off-limit to photography (or are located in crowded indoor chambers where photography is impractical). This includes the vast collection of imperial treasures, perfectly preserved imperial robes, classical manuscripts, china and silver, arms and armor, imperial carriages, impressive tilework, and holy relics. Following the Conquest of Egypt in 1517 and the consequent assumption of the Caliphate by Sultan Selim I ("the Grim"), the Ottomans appropriated many of the artifacts and relics associated with Mohammed and the early Caliphs. These are on display in Topkapi Palace.
(High-Res)	This is a minor painting near the Felicity Gate. Much of the interior of the palace is lavishly decorated (painted or tiled). Unfortunately, much of this (including the entire Harem) are off limits to photography. According to the Ottoman chronicler Evliya Celebi: "Never hath a more delightful residence been erected by the art of man."	(High-Res)	This is the interior of one of the older pavilions. The Turkish name for the palace (Topkapi Sarayi) means "Cannon-Gate Palace"
(High-Res)	This is the Felicity Gate (also known as the "Gate of the White Eunuchs").	(High-Res)	This is the Baghdad Pavilion, built in 1639 by Sultan Murat IV to commemorate his capture of Baghdad.
(High-Res)	Behind the Baghdad Pavilion is a garden.	(High-Res)	The Iftariye Pavilion, pictured here, has a commanding view across the Golden Horn. The Galata Tower can be seen in the distance.
(High-Res)	Take a look at the interlocking stonework in this arched doorway.	(High-Res)	This is a small, but richly detailed, fountain on the grounds of Topkapi Palace. After almost 400 years of use by the Ottoman Sultans, Topkapi Palace was abandoned in 1853 by Sultan Abdul Mecit I. The Sultan and the imperial family moved to the newly constructed Dolmabahce Palace, a grand European-style palace further up the Bosphorus. Topkapi Palace was converted into a museum in 1924.

Istanbul (Dolmabahce Palace)

(High-Res)	This is the pedestrian entrance to Dolmabahce Palace, the extravagant imperial palace built in 1856 by Sultan Abdul Mecit. This is not to be confused with the Imperial Gate, which now opens to a busy modern road.	(High-Res)	The name Dolmabahce means "filled-in garden," and indeed, the site of the present palace and gardens was an inlet of the Bosphorus and an ancient harbor. Among other things, the palace and gardens are built on the site from which, on April 22nd, 1453, Sultan Mehmet II ("the Conqueror") had his fleet of 70 ships drawn by ox-carts over the hills and into the Golden Horn. In this way, his fleet bypassed the great chain across the mouth of the Golden Horn which had prevented sea-based attacks on Constantinople from the Golden Horn in years past.
(High-Res)	After the conquest of Constantinople, the area near the future site of Dolmabahce palace was a royal garden. Sultan Selim I built a small manor in the area. During the reigns of Sultans Ahmet I and Osman II, the harbor was filled-in and converted into a royal park.	(High-Res)	This is the modern tourist entrance to the palace. Sultan Abdul Mecit's chief architect was Nikogos Balyan, member of a family of Armenian architects which built many splendid palaces and mosques for the Ottoman Sultans during the late 19th century. Dolmabahce Palace clearly reflects Abdul Mecit's admiration for contemporary Western European style. His tugra (stylized signature) is one of the few indications that this is the palace of an Ottoman Sultan.
(High-Res)	The elaborate clocktower in front of Dolmabahce Palace.	(High-Res)	This gate opens to the Bosphorus strait. From here, the Sultan could board his private ship. Across the straight is the continent of Asia, while the palace itself sits on the edge of Europe.
(High-Res)	The grandest staircase in the palace leads up from the Salon of the Ambassadors. The balusters are made of fine crystal and the columns of rare patterned marble.	(High-Res)	This is the large chandelier which hangs above the Crystal Staircase. Sultan Abdul Mecit had 36 large chandeliers (of Bohemian and Baccarat crystal) installed in Dolmabahce palace.
(High-Res)	The palace interior was designed by the French decorator Sechan, who also designed the Paris Opera. Several European artists were also hired to execute various paintings, murals, and frescoes in the palace. Note the extravagant decoration of the ceiling panels.	(High-Res)	Another interior shot of the palace. Note the incredible floor-to-ceiling detail. Dolmabahce palace has 285 rooms, 43 large salons, 4455 square meters of hand-woven carpet, and six hamams (Turkish baths). It also has 280 Chinese, Japanese, and European vases, 156 clocks, and over 500 silver and crystal candelabras. A few of these are pictured here.
(High-Res)	This ceremonial hall holds 2,500 people and boasts the heaviest chandelier (weighing 4.5 tons) in the world. Given to the Sultan by Queen Victoria of England, it has 750 lights and takes several weeks to clean.	(High-Res)	Even the Sultan's wood-burning heater was fancy.