Dolmabahçe Palace (Turkish: Dolmabahçe Sarayı)

Last Ottoman Contemporary Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace, the elegant palace of the Bosphorus, is the most magnificent of the symbolic structures of the transformed identity of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. Dolmabahçe Palace, whose construction started on June 13, 1843, was opened for use on June 7, 1856. It is located in an area of  110 thousand square meters, with a magnificent view overlooking the Bosphorus. Beşiktaş coastal area, where Dolmabahçe Palace is located, is an area that has witnessed shipping activities as one of the bays of the Bosphorus in the past. This cove, which has been a natural harbor where ships took shelter since ancient times, was also noted by the rulers during the Byzantine, and royal palaces were built in this region

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''Historical importance and magnificent architecture, Dolmabahçe Palace houses very valuable items, innovative crystal artifacts, carpets, tile stoves, and many more in its rooms and halls. Witnessing a cultural turn, Dolmabahçe Palace also has a vast knowledge of the life and traditions of the period''

The coastal area, which functioned as a port where navy ships were anchored and maritime ceremonies were held during the Ottoman Period, was named “Dolmabahçe-filled up from coast” after it was filled in the 16th century. Although the official residence is Topkapı Palace, the Dolmabahce region has also become one of the preferred places to visit, and it has started to be used as a private garden belonging to the sultan and the dynasty. Until the 19th century, the group of mansions and pavilions built on this private garden was called "Sahil Palace".  In the 19th century, the effect of the renewal and modernization winds of the age was reflected not only on the culture and administration of the Ottoman Empire but also on its palaces. The most magnificent work revealed by this wind of innovation is the Dolmabahçe Palace, which has the title of being the third-largest palace structure in Istanbul today. It was decided to demolish these structures and build Dolmabahçe Palace instead.
 

Beşiktaş coast and its surroundings attracted attention in the Ottoman period as always. Although the use of the sultanate as the administrative center dates back to the 19th century, the active use of the region by the Ottomans dates back to earlier times. From the end of the 15th century to the beginning of the 16th century, mansions, gardens, and palaces belonging to the sultans were built. In fact, after the conquest of Istanbul, these shores were the last meeting point for the Ottoman Navy before sailing. The Magnificent Suleiman had a summer palace built on the hill behind Beşiktaş Garden.

The oldest structure of the Ottoman Empire in region II. It was built during the Bayezid Period. Although there is no detailed information about this mansion, the interest shown in the area continued to increase exponentially and became more evident in the 17th century. The intensity of the buildings connected to the palace in the region, Beşiktaş Hasbahçe, the construction of the Tiled Kiosk, one of the first and most important structures of the Beşiktaş Coast Palace, also shows that the sultanate focused directly on the region. Sultan Ahmed's love to spend time in gardens and mansions, at that time increased their interest in the region. Ahmed, I had the gulf area that extends to Levent Farm regularly filled and had a sultan's private garden built there. After the coast was filled, the region began to be known as dolma-bakhce.

(Coast )Sahil Palace, which hosts buildings that expanded and transformed from the 17th century to the end of the 18th century, was built by the III. Entering the Selim Period, it became the second-largest palace in Istanbul after Topkapı Palace, which was the administrative center of the sultanate. Beşiktaş Sahil  Palace is not suitable for long-term accommodation, so III. Selim wanted them to be repaired. The next II. Mahmud also spent a lot of time in Beşiktaş Sahil Palace, but he used Topkapı Palace as his official residence and administrative center.