Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe Palace, also known as Dolmabahçe Sarayı in Turkish, was commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid I in 1843 and took approximately 13 years to build. The construction cost was around five million gold pieces for raw materials and about two million pounds sterling for the workers per year.
The palace served as an administrative center from its completion in 1856 until 1922. Afterward, it was transformed into a guest reception center for foreign dignitaries during the time of the Republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Location of Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul:
Dolmabahçe Palace is situated in the Beşiktaş district on the European side of Istanbul, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.
Description of Dolmabahçe Palace:
The palace complex consists of a main building and 38 other structures around it. The palace gardens boast trees over 150 years old, ancient fountains, and a beautiful, enchanting carpet of flowers. The museum's ceiling is particularly captivating, covered in pure gold leaf. The walls and floors feature the most luxurious marble found worldwide, adorned with many exquisite and valuable Greek paintings.
The palace houses around 90,000 artifacts from various historical periods.
Visiting Hours:
The palace is open daily, except on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 AM to 6 PM.
Ticket Prices:
- Main Section: 60 Turkish lira
- Harem Section: 40 Turkish lira
- Combined Ticket (Main and Harem): 90 Turkish lira
- Children aged 6 and below: Free
Location of Dolmabahçe Palace:
Vişnezade, Dolmabahçe Cd., 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
Dolmabahçe Palace is a magnificent attraction in Istanbul, drawing visitors from all around the world to admire its historical grandeur and artistic beauty.