The story of Dolmabahçe Palace
History of Dolmabahçe Palace
On a site that once served as a private garden for sultans, Dolmabahçe Palace is considered one of the most elegant structures dating from the Ottoman Empire’s final period. Featuring Baroque, Rococo and Neo-Classical elements blended with Ottoman stylistic elements, the 285-room palace was, for a time, the largest in Türkiye as a monobloc building. The complex also includes a mosque and gardens.
The land on which Dolmabahçe Palace stands was once a bay. Used by the Ottoman fleet for docking their vessels, the area was gradually filled in and the site became a private garden for the sultans. The name of Dolmabahçe Palace refers to this garden – “dolma” is Turkish for “filled” and “bahçe” is garden. Early in the eighteenth century, a series of villas were built on land and, eventually, the complex was known as the Beşiktaş Sahil (Coastal) Palace. In the mid-1800s, Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned the construction of a majestic new structure. The building of Dolmabahçe Palace began in 1843 and was completed in 1856.
Many of us know Dolmabahçe Palace as the former residence of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye. Atatürk lived at the Palace from 1927 until his death in 1938 and hosted a number of significant meetings there, as well as foreign statesmen and delegations; visitors to the Palace, which is now a museum, can tour the living quarters of the former president.
Building Dolmabahçe Palace
The architects included Karabet Balyan and his son, Nikoğos Balyan, members of the Armenian Balyan family, who served as court architects for the Ottoman empire, as well as Ohannes Serveryan. Another architect involved in the project was James William Smith. The British-born Smith designed a number of official buildings in İstanbul, as well as various residences for Ottoman sultans and officials. The construction was supervised by Hacı Said Ağa (1843-1850) and Esseyyid Ali Şahin Bey (1843-1856).
What’s inside Dolmabahçe Palace
The main structure of Dolmabahçe Palace is the Mabeyn. Within the Mabeyn is a majestic Throne Hall featuring a blue dome and a four-ton crystal chandelier. This is where Ottoman sultans were crowned, festive ceremonies were held, and foreign statesmen were received. The Harem Dairesi (Harem Section), housed the Sultan’s family and servants, while the Selamlık Dairesi (Selamlık Section), was a principal center for state affairs in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. The Selamlık Section is one of the most popular areas for visitors.
Important notes about Dolmabahçe Palace
Where is Dolmabahçe Palace?
Dolmabahçe Palace is in İstanbul’s Beşiktaş district on the European side, across from Üsküdar and Kuzguncuk.
Dolmabahçe Palace visiting hours
The Palace can be visited every day of the week except Mondays. Operating hours are from 09.00 to 17.00.
Dolmabahce Palace entrance fee
The entrance fee to Dolmabahçe Palace differs for adults and students, as well the areas to be visited. For up-to-date information on tours and admission fees, please visit the Dolmabahçe Palace page on the National Palaces website.
Is the MuseumPass valid at Dolmabahçe Palace?
The MuseumPass includes access to all areas of Dolmabahçe Palace, except the Selamlık section.
