Dolmabahçe was built in neo-baroque style between 1843-1856 in the rapidly growing northern section of the city, at the Marmara outlet of the Bosphorus, to replace the Topkapi Palace which was out fashioned. The architect was Karabet Balyan, head architect of Sultan Abdulmecit. It has 3 floors including the basement with a symmetric design, with 285 rooms, 43 halls, 6 Turkish baths. The pier is 600 meters long and the palace has two beautifully decorated monumental gates giving access to its courtyard. The huge ballroom has a 4,5 tons crystal chandelier hanging from its 36 meters high ceiling.
Dolmabahce housed Sultans and their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. Atatürk died here on the 10th of November, 1938.
Side view Palace view from Bosphorus strait
Palace main entrance gate
Fountain
Side entrance gate
Changing of Guards
Courtyard
Animals
Peacock
Iron work
Courtyard
Main facade of the Palace
Shoes must be covered prior entering the Palace
Bedroom
Bedroom
Room
Room
Room
Fireplace
Chandelier over Grand staircase
Grand staircase
Room
Grand Room ceiling
Chandelier
Palace exit
Exit gate
No comments:
Post a Comment