Dolmabahçe Palace is an important historical and architectural structure that was built in the late Ottoman Empire and became a symbol of the modernization movement.
The palace, which was built by Sultan Abdülmecid, was completed in 1856 by Armenian architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğos Balyan in an eclectic style that is a mixture of European architectural styles. The palace, which is located on the shores of the Bosphorus in Beşiktaş, covers an area of 45,000 square meters and has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
The magnificent palace, which attracts the attention of visitors with its 4.5-ton crystal chandelier made in England, features motifs of Baroque, Rococo, and Empire styles.The Harem Garden, located on the land side of the magnificent palaces Harem Chamber, has an oval pool and plots arranged in geometric shapes. The fact that the plots are arranged in geometric shapes, and that objects such as lanterns, vases, and statues are used in the decoration, is a sign that the gardens were also influenced by the West, like the main building. European and Asian plants are also used in the palace gardens.
It is said that Sultan Abdülmecid said, "Evil and ugliness are forbidden here, only beautiful things should be found here."
Dolmabahçe Palace, which was opened to visits by state guests during the Republican period, hosted the Shah of Iran, Faisal I of Iraq, Abdullah I of Jordan, Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan, King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, and Alexander I of Yugoslavia by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Dolmabahçe Palace, which is of great importance as the place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away and his funeral was held, is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Turkey.