![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/dolmabahce-sarayi-hikayesi.jpg\")
History of Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
On a site that once served as a private garden for sultans, Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace is considered one of the most elegant structures dating from the Ottoman Empire\u2019s 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 T\u00fcrkiye as a monobloc building. The complex also includes a mosque and gardens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The land on which Dolmabah\u00e7e 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 Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace refers to this garden \u2013 \u201cdolma\u201d is Turkish for \u201cfilled\u201d and \u201cbah\u00e7e\u201d is garden. Early in the eighteenth century, a series of villas were built on land and, eventually, the complex was known as the Be\u015fikta\u015f Sahil (Coastal) Palace. In the mid-1800s, Sultan Abd\u00fclmecid I commissioned the construction of a majestic new structure. The building of Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace began in 1843 and was completed in 1856. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of us know Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace as the former residence of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk, the founder of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye. Atat\u00fcrk 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/b><\/p><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The architects included Karabet Balyan and his son, Niko\u011fos 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 \u0130stanbul, as well as various residences for Ottoman sultans and officials. The construction was supervised by Hac\u0131 Said A\u011fa (1843-1850) and Esseyyid Ali \u015eahin Bey (1843-1856). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s inside Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n The main structure of Dolmabah\u00e7e 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\u2019s family and servants, while the Selaml\u0131k Dairesi (Selaml\u0131k Section), was a principal center for state affairs in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. The Selaml\u0131k Section is one of the most popular areas for visitors.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important notes about Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace<\/b><\/p><\/h2>\n\n\n\n Where is Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace?<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace is in \u0130stanbul\u2019s Be\u015fikta\u015f district on the European side, across from \u00dcsk\u00fcdar and Kuzguncuk.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dolmabah\u00e7e Palace visiting hours<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n The Palace can be visited every day of the week except Mondays. Operating hours are from 09.00 to 17.00.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dolmabahce Palace entrance fee<\/b><\/p><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"What\u2019s](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/dolmabahce-sarayinda-neler-var.jpg\")
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