Screaming of luxury, extravagance and untold wealth, the beautiful Ottoman palaces in Istanbul are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Known as the royal residences, the Ottomans built many palaces when they took over following the Byzantine period. From here, the royal family lived and ruled, and in others, they used them as summer residences for rest, and pleasure.
From 17th-century masterpieces to smaller residences like Ihlamur Palace, the blend of Ottoman and European-style architecture makes them globally unique. While some boast beautiful gardens and ceremonial halls, others are known for their ornate ceilings, marble exteriors, or vast collections of books. Indeed, each palace glimpses into the rich history behind those doors.
Famous Ottoman Palaces in Istanbul
1: Topkapi Palace Museum: First Home of the Ottoman Sultans
While the architecture reflects an ancient castle or fairy-tale story, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Topkapi Palace was the brainchild of Sultan Mehmed II in the 15th century and is the oldest of all palaces. Sitting on Istanbul’s historical peninsula and boasting of the Chinese porcelain room, throne rooms, audience hall, marble terraces, and treasury, we gain insight into sultans from their administrative headquarters.
The perfectly maintained sprawling grounds and gardens on Istanbul’s European shores house the world's fifth largest, an 84-carat spoon-maker diamond, and have an impressive historical timeline. In the sacred relic's room, visitors view Muhammad's ancient possessions and holy relics, a priceless collection for anyone interested in prominent figures of Islam.
Holding a strategic position overlooking the Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, and Golden Horn, the architectural marvels may seem like mishmash styles, but reflect over 400 years of occupation by sultans, from Constantinople's invasion in 1453.
These days, visitors gain perfect insight into bizarre trends and fashions of Ottoman rulers but also read history books to discover tales of harem jealousy and sibling rivalry that took place within Topkapı Palace. Examples include Mehmet the 3rd, who murdered 19 of his siblings to prevent rebellions in later years, or Mad Ibrahim, who drowned 280 concubines in the Bosphorus because he suspected foul play and double-dealing in his administrative centre. Also, see the historic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque sites, which sit nearby.
Dolmabahce: Last Home of the Ottoman Sultans
Eventually, Ottoman Sultan Abdulmecid said Topkapi Palace was embarrassing and outdated, so he started building a new palace more in line with Western decor trends. The palace would host distinguished guests and be an administrative centre.
The no-holds-barred limit on price or expenses eventually bankrupted the state and possibly contributed towards its final status as the sick man of Europe. Think gold paint on ceilings, 6 Turkish baths, and crystals lining the staircases. While they were losing power and influence over Middle Eastern countries, they instead sourced pure silk and handmade carpets from nearby Herake, a famous and respected region.
While their reputation diminished to that of madmen and fools, they commissioned artists from faraway countries to paint walls, ceilings, and portraits. So, while Dolmabahce revolves around extravagance and extreme wealth, imagine an empire that shifted from their roots as fighting men to out-of-touch politicians, leading to the last Ottoman Sultan’s exile in 1922.
Visitors to this famous palace and impressive museum sign up for guided tours with two separate sections: the Selanik and the harem. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Turkey in 1923, also passed away here, and nearby Dolmabahce mosque, designed by Nikogos Balyan, also wins admiration, as do the beautiful Bosphorus views.
Beylerbeyi: The Modest Summer House
Compared to Topkapi and Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi Palace is relatively small but combines Eastern styles and Western styles to present a charming palace. Still, the primary purpose was to be a summer house to entertain visiting foreign dignitaries like Austrian emperor Franz Joseph. Built in 1863 and started by Sultan Mahmud, the most striking feature is the artwork of ships and sea, attributed to Sultan Abdulaziz, who loved everything maritime.
With mixed Eastern and Western decor trends and sitting directly on the Bosphorus shores, Beylerbeyi, whose name translates into “lord of the lords,” hosted many prominent foreign figures. They included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Empress Eugene of France, who liked the Sultan and received a slap from the Sultan's mother for her rude manners. The magnificent palace was where the disposed Sultan Abdulhamid died.
Yıldız Palace Complex
Yildiz Summer Palace is another example of how outside appearances can be deceptive since the inside used to have an opera house and an imperial porcelain factory. The small pavilion-type architecture gives no hint about the décor inside, but visitors can tour the museums that opened in 1993. Main construction occurred at the end of the 19th century, so historians view this as the last example of Ottoman architecture by Italian architect Raimondo D'Aronco.
Sections include the small state kiosk for official meetings, the Island kiosk Sultan Abdulhamid the Second turned into a small zoo for his pleasure, and the theatre, built to host German Imperial Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1899. Once again, while Yildiz does not compare to grand Dolmabahce or Topkapi, it impeccably examines the lives of Ottoman rulers.
More beautiful palaces and mansions
Çırağan Palace Kempinski
The Ciragan palace, which belongs to the Kempinski Hotels, sits between Besiktas and Ortakoy in European Istanbul. Often classed as home to the most expensive hotel suites, this luxurious hotel leaves lasting impressions on all who can afford to stay there. Dating from the 19th century, the new version displays baroque architectural styles, including magnificent halls.
The original version sadly suffered much damage at the turn of the 21st century. However, current-day architects have done much to restore as much as possible. Many say Ciragan is one of Istanbul’s most beautiful palaces, and tiny intricate details like ceiling decorations, picturesque ponds, and double balconies complete the cultural experience.
Ihlamur Pavilion and Historical Buildings
Ihlamur Pavilion, sitting between the hills of Beşiktaş, Yıldız and Nişantaşı, was originally a farm, later bought by Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730), who turned the building into a place for day trip excursions. Uniquely, garden stones detail distances achieved in an archery competition between Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) and Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839). Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861) made further renovations, but these days, the pavilion earned fame for hosting the French poet Lamartine in 1846. He wrote about the Ihlamur pavilion in his memoirs.
“The building faces a garden with beautiful chestnut trees and big linden trees from which the valley took its name. In front of three-stepped stairs is a small fountain shorter than the branches of jasmine, whose water falls into marble pools with a sweet gurgle. Ihlamur is Sultan’s favourite pavilion, where he rests and meditates.”
Maslak Pavilion and Lush Gardens
Maslak Pavilions, commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz, was given to his nephew, Crown Prince Sehzade Abdülhamid Efendi, in 1868. Named after water distribution reservoirs, the beautiful pavilion became the primary residence of Sultan Abdülhamid II. From here, crown Prince Abdülhamid Efendi indulged in agriculture, horse, and stock breeding.
After the Ottoman Empire fell, the pavilion was a military base for decades, but in 1984, it underwent extensive restoration to open as a public museum. Covering 170 square metres, the architectural design is typically Ottoman and includes the harem, the Imperial Apartments, and the Seyir Kiosk, used for watching horse training. There was a pool, Turkish Bath, greenhouse, stable block, and kitchen, but the large garden with rare tropical plants garnered the most fame.
Aynalikavak Pavilion
Aynalıkavak Pavilion in Beyoglu was initially an orange grove when Mehmet II conquered Istanbul. However, by the time Selim I came to rule, the area was known as the shipyard palace, and the first construction happened in 1613. Eventually, Murat IV and Sultan İbrahim expanded with additional buildings, but fires during the regain of Mehmet IV destroyed the building. The rebuilt version famously highlighted the Ottoman tulip era, but these days, is famous for the collections of musical instruments.
Kucuksu Palace in Asian Istanbul
Sitting in Beykoz on the Bosphorus strait, Kucuksu Palace displays baroque-style architecture. Built in 1857 by Sultan Abdulmecid I and sometimes called the Kucuksu pavilion, the design uniquely followed that of traditional Turkish houses. Appearing in the James Bond film, “The World is Not Enough,” nothing but the best interior decor stands out. Kucuksu is not the largest palace, but it is lavish enough to have made jaws drop.
Also, of Interest
Famous Mosques in Istanbul: From historical palaces to historic mosques, both new and old, this article highlights the top places of worship. Whether looking at landmark architecture or new, modern trends, all famous sites deserve their fame. Some, like the Blue Mosque, show their deep history in Turkish society, while others portray the up-and-coming architects of this cosmopolitan city.
Famous Streets in Istanbul: From the Ottoman palaces in Istanbul to streets that show the deep-rooted culture, these are more places to explore. Whether you are looking for amazing views of Istanbul’s Asian shore or Turkish culture on the European side, these streets earn fame for their labyrinth of buildings and other notable claims to fame. When it comes to beautiful cities, exploring these streets is the perfect way to get to know Istanbul.
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