Palaces of Istanbul
BASILICA CISTERN
Another one of the magnificent historical structures of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern located at the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565) was named the “Sunken Cistern” by the local people because of its countless marble pillars arising from the water on the ground. Because that a Basilica used to be in the location of the cistern in the past, it is also known as the Basilica Cistern. The cistern is a huge structure with a length of 140 meters and width of 70 meters, covering a rectangle shaped area. A total of 336 pillars which are 9 meters tall are found in this cistern that can be accessed by going down 52-step stone stairs. Covering a total of 9,800 m² area, this cistern has the capacity to hold 100,000 tons of water.
Head of Medusa: The two Medusa heads used as bases for the two pillars at the northwest corner of the cistern are among the masterpieces of the Roman art of sculpture. The origins of these Medusa heads, which attract the attention of tourists the most, is not clearly known.
Address: Alemdar Mah. Yerebatan Cad. 1/3 34410 Sultanahmet-Fatih
Phone: +90 212 512 15 70
Email: info@yerebatan.com
Visitor Information: The museum is open to visitors every day between 09.00 – 17.30. As an exception, the museum opens at 13.00 on the first days of religious holidays.
TEKFUR PALACE
Known as the “imperial house” in Turkish history, Tekfur Palace was built adjacent to the shores of Istanbul, between Edirnekapi and Egrikapi. The constructor and the construction date of the palace has not been exactly determined. Tekfur Palace represents a great importance for it reflects the Byzantine civilian architecture and that it is the only palace building that has survived until this day. Used as a ceramics workshop during the Byzantine Period, the Palace was recognized with its ceramics, which were named “The Ceramics of Tekfur Palace” throughout the history. For this reason, Tekfur Palace may be considered as the oldest ceramics workshop of Istanbul. Thought to have survived for almost a thousand years, this historical building was opened as a museum after the completion of carefully conducted renovation works of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2006.
Address: Ayvansaray Mah. Sishane Cad. 34087 Fatih
Phone: +90 212 525 61 30
Visitor Information: The museum is open to visitors every day between 09.00 – 18.00.
SEREFIYE CISTERN
Serefiye Cistern was constructed between 428 and 443 by Emperor Theodosius II in order to store the water coming from Bozdogan Aqueduct (Valens Aqueduct). With Cistern of Philoxenos built in the 4th century and Basilica Cistern built in the 6th century, this cistern has served as the building that supplied water to Istanbul for centuries.
With a height of 9 meters and with its roof supported by 32 marble columns, Serefiye Cistern is also known as Constantine and Theodosius. With the removal of the reinforced concrete structures found around the cistern, the area was transformed into an archaeological park after the landscaping process. Opened to domestic and foreign tourists on 24 April 2018, various culture and art activities such as classical music concerts and exhibitions are also organized at the cistern. As of 2019, acoustic music concerts are presented for the entertainment of visitors every Saturday at 17:30.
Address: Binbirdirek Mah. Piyer Loti Cad. No:2/1, 34122 Fatih
Phone: +90 212 568 60 80
Visitor Information: The museum is open to visitors between 09.00-18.00 every day excluding Saturday; and between 09.00-15.00 on Saturday.
BEYLERBEYI PALACE
Beylerbeyi Palace and its premises is a region that hosted various structures since the Byzantine Era. Beylerbeyi Palace was built by Mahmud II between 1863-65. Today, the main building of Beylerbeyi where the Mabeyn and Harem areas are found, is open to visitors. The additional buildings of Beylerbeyi Palace other than its main building can be listed as Sea Pavilions, Marble Pavilion, Yellow Pavilion and Stables Pavilion. Each of these pavilions were built at a suitable location and under a structure according to a specific purpose.
Reflecting a Western architecture from the exterior and a classical Ottoman architecture from the interior, Beylerbeyi Palace was frequently used as a summer palace and the guest house of the state. Reserved as a State Guest House for high ranked national guests, Beylerbeyi Palace once hosted important political individuals of the era such as the wife of the French emperor Napoleon III, Empress Eugénie, and the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Address: Abdullahaga Cad. 34676 Beylerbeyi / Uskudar
Phone: +90 216 321 93 20
CIRAGAN PALACE
Having a unique location between Besiktas and Ortakoy, Ciragan Palace was built between 1863 – 1871 by Sultan Abdulaziz. The architects of the building are Nikogos Balyan, and his sons Sarkis and Agop Balyan. Surviving through the Ottoman Era to the present, Ciragan Palace holds traces of baroque architecture. In the architecture of Ciragan Palace, attention was paid to create a geometric harmony among the decorations of the palace. Hosting important events and marriage ceremonies today, the palace attracts the interest of native and foreign tourists with its beautiful architecture and location. Being one of the most important structures of the history, it contributes significantly to the historical identity of Istanbul. For this reason, Ciragan Palace stays on top of the list of places to visit in Istanbul. Nowadays, Ciragan Palace is used as a hotel under the name “Kempinski Hotel”.
Address: Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Ciragan Caddesi No:32 Besiktas / Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 326 46 46
DOLMABAHCE PALACE
The Besiktas coastal region, where the 19th century Dolmabahce Palace is located in, is a region that have witnessed the naval activities of the Bosporus in the past, as one of its bays. The impact of innovation and modernization brought by the era also had an impression on the palaces of the Ottoman Empire besides its culture and reign. The most magnificent structure brought by this modernization was Dolmabahce Palace, which is also the third largest palace of Istanbul today. The Palace enjoys an incredible view facing the Bosporus. The founder and the first President of our Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lived in Dolmabahce Palace between 1927-1938, and continued his official work here until his demise in 10 November 1938 in Dolmabahce Palace. The palace was opened to visitors as a museum and a palace in 1984.
Address: Visnezade, Dolmabahce Cad. 34357 Besiktas/Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 236 90 00
TOPKAPI PALACE
Topkapi Palace is located in Sarayburnu on the Historical Peninsula, one of the oldest historical areas of Istanbul. The construction of the palace started in 1460 on the order of Mehmed the Conqueror, and finished in 1468. The palace became the center of government, education and art, and a home for the sultans throughout a period of four hundred years starting from Mehmed the Conqueror to 31st Sultan Abdulmejid. This palace holds historical importance for this reason. Transformed into a museum after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, Topkapi Palace is the first museum of the Republic. Covering approximately 300,000 square meters of area today, Topkapi Palace is one of the largest palace museums of the world with its structures, architecture, collections and about 300,000 archived documents.
Address: Cankurtaran, 34122 Fatih/Istanbul
YILDIZ PALACE
Located in Besiktas district, the Palace is known as the last example of Turkish-Ottoman architecture. Sultan Selim III constructed this Palace for his mother, Mihrimah Sultan. In later years, the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II used the Palace as a residence and the governmental palace for 33 years. Various additions have been made to the palace that is covering an area of 500,000 square meters from the 17th to the 19th century. The structures within the garden of Yildiz Palace are: Yildiz Sale, Kucuk Mabeyn Kiosk, Yildiz Palace Mabeyn Kiosk, Cihannuma Kiosk, and Yildiz Theatre. Inside Yildiz Palace, operating since 1944, there is also the Yildiz Porcelain Factory. Porcelain products created in the factory are displayed here. Today, Yildiz Palace contains three different museums. These museums are Yildiz Palace Museum, Yildiz Theatre, and IMM City Museum.
Address: Address: Barbaros Bulvari, Serencebey Yokusu, Yildiz Parki Muzesi – Besiktas / Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 258 30 80
AYNALIKAVAK PAVILION
Aynalikavak Palace, located in the Golden Horn, is the fourth largest palace in Istanbul after the Ottoman Empire’s palaces in Dolmabahce, Topkapi and Uskudar. Also referred to as Shipyard Palace because of the shipyard in the region, only Aynalikavak Pavilion survived from this structure to this day. It is known that the land of the palace situated on the grove which is thought to be the recreation and walking area of the emperors during the Byzantine era, extends over the large region between Okmeydani, Haskoy and Kasimpasa. Aynalikavak Pavilion, with its details reflecting the entirety of the taste of the period, is one of the most elegant legacies of today originating from the classical Ottoman architecture.
Address: Haskoy, Aynali Kavak Cad. 34445 Beyoglu
Phone: +90 212 236 90 00
Visitor Information: The museum is closed to visitors on Mondays.
All palaces, kiosks and pavilions under the Directorate of National Palaces may be visited between 09.00-16.30.
TILED KIOSK
It is a kiosk dating back to 1472, located at the outer walls of Topkapi Palace. It was constructed by Mehmed the Conqueror (Mehmed II) to be used as a summer palace or kiosk. Even though its architect is not clearly known, some sources indicate that the architect is Mimar Atik Sinan. Also called the Glazed Kiosk, the Tiled Kiosk was used as the “Muze-i Humayun” (Imperial Museum) between 1875 and 1891. It was later opened to the public in 1953 as the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts. It was later incorporated into Istanbul Archaeology Museums. Examples of Iznik pottery and ceramics from the Ottoman and Seljuk periods are displayed in the museum.
Address: Alemdar Cad. Osman Hamdi Bey Yokusu Sok. Gulhane Fatih Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 520 77 40
Visitor Information: Summer Period; April 1 – October 31 Opening Hour: 10.00 Closing Hour: 17.00
Winter Period; October 31 – April 1 Opening Hour: 09.00 Closing Hour: 18.00
Box Office Summer / Winter Closing Hours; Summer Period: 16.00 Winter Period: 17.30
Days Closed: Monday
KHEDIVE’S PALACE
Khedive’s Palace is a historical structure located in Beykoz-Cubuklu. It was constructed by the Egypt Khedive (Viceroy) of Ottoman Empire Abbas II of Egypt in 1907. Its architect is the Italian Delfo Seminati. The palace is important because that it brings the period’s art nouveau features and Ottoman architectural style together. Khedive’s Palace is found at a location overlooking the Bosporus. With its management transferred to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1996, the palace is being used as a restaurant and a social complex since then. Khedive’s Palace, one of the most special places of Istanbul with its history, architecture, landscape and rose gardens, is considered as the perfect place for those who would like to enjoy the view of Bosporus and take a journey on the recent history of Istanbul.
Address: Cubuklu Korusu Cubuklu Yolu No:32 Beykoz
Phone: +90 216 413 96 64, +90 216 425 06 03, +90 216 425 06 04
Email: hidivkasri@beltur.com.tr
Visitor Information: The kiosk operates as a restaurant and a cafeteria every day between 09.00 – 23.00.
IHLAMUR PAVILION
Ihlamur Pavilion is located in Ihlamur Recreation Area between Besiktas and Nisantasi. Two pavilions named “Ceremonial Pavilion” and “Court Pavilion” was built here by Nigogos Balyan on the order of Abdulmejid between 1839-1861. The original Ihlamur Pavilion among these two, the Ceremonial Pavilion was used for ceremonies, while the Court Pavilion was used for Sultan’s cortege. Both pavilions contain traces from Baroque style architecture. The Ceremonial Pavilion may also be visited as a museum today. The garden of the Court Pavilion is used as a resting and recreation area. Structures which were opened to visitors as a museum palace in 1985 were given their current form with the restoration efforts conducted in 1987.
Address: Tesvikiye Mah. Av. Sureyya Agaoglu Sok. No:80, 34365 Sisli
Phone: +90 212 259 50 86
Visitor Information: The museum is closed to visitors on Mondays.
All palaces, kiosks and pavilions under the Directorate of National Palaces may be visited between 09.00-16.30.
KUCUKSU PAVILION
Also known as “Goksu Pavilion”, and completed in 1856, this Pavilion is located in Kucuksu district, over the Bogazici Uskudar-Beykoz coastal road. It was built by Nigogos Balyan, on the order of Sultan Abdulmejid. It was opened as a museum in 1983. Gaining its current form after an extensive renovation and improvement project which started in 1992 and took four years to be completed, the Pavilion is still used as a museum palace and recreational spot.
Address: Goksu, Kucuksu Cad. 34815 Beykoz
Phone: +90 216 332 33 03
Visitor Information: The museum is closed to visitors on Mondays.
All palaces, kiosks and pavilions under the Directorate of National Palaces may be visited between 09.00-16.30.
MALTA KIOSK
The kiosk, found inside Yildiz Park, was built by 1871 by Sultan Abdulaziz. Even though its architect is not exactly known, it is thought to be the Italian architect Fossati. On the front of Malta Kiosk, located at left side from the entrance of Yildiz Park, one of two large pools of the palace is found. As of 1997, Malta Kiosk is being used by Beltur for providing food & beverage services.
Address: Yildiz Mahallesi, Yildiz Korusu No:53, 34349 Besiktas
Phone: +90 212 258 94 53
Email: maltakosku@beltur.com.tr
Visitor Information: The kiosk operates as a restaurant and a cafeteria every day between 09.00 – 23.00.
MECIDIYE (BEYKOZ) PAVILION
Depicted as “a mansion of marble”, Mecidiye Pavilion is one of the oldest pavilions of Istanbul. Also known as Beykoz Pavilion, Mecidiye Pavilion is located in the Hunkar Iskelesi (“the Sultan’s Pier”) region of Beykoz. The construction of the pavilion, built as a gift for Sultan Abdulmejid by Governor of Egypt Mehmed Ali Pasha, started in 1845 and finished in 1854. The pavilion, which was used as a boarding pavilion within the first years of its construction, was also used for daily accommodation and official receptions in the following years. The fine details of wood arts were used in the making of the pavilion. It is learned from the historical records that the spectacular leaves and stones used on the exterior were brought from Italy. In addition, gold plating was used in the interior. Because of its important features, Beykoz Pavilion was incorporated into TBMM Directorate of National Palaces. It was restores in a short amount of time to preserve the neo-classical architectural details.
Address: Yalikoy, Beykoz Kasri, 34820 Beykoz
Phone: +90 212 236 90 00
Visitor Information: The museum is closed to visitors on Mondays.
All palaces, kiosks and pavilions under the Directorate of National Palaces may be visited between 09.00-16.30.
YILDIZ SALE PAVILION
Being the best preserved structure among the architectural works that survived to present day from the Yildiz Palace complex, Yildiz Sale Pavilion was built during the period of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Located inside a large garden surrounded with high walls, and consisting of the combination of three different buildings constructed in various times, the pavilion was named after the French word “chalet”, meaning “cottage”. With no clear information on the architect of the first part of the pavilion built in 1880, the second part which was completed in 1889 was designed by Sarkis Balyan, and the third part built in 1898 was designed by the famous Italian Architect Raimondo D’ Aronco. A large hall currently known as the Yellow Hall was added to the first part during the construction of the second part of the pavilion, and some changes were made to the second part during the construction of the third part. With its second and third parts built by Abdulhamid II for the accommodation of German Emperor Wilhelm II during his Istanbul visits, the structure became “the imperial guest house”. Designed to be made completely with wood and stone, the landscape gardening of Sale Pavilion was done by Turkish and German architects. The eye catching garden in front of the pavilion located in the area of Yildiz Palace Complex referred to as the third courtyard reaches towards Yildiz Park.
Address: Yildiz, YTU No:30, 34349 Besiktas/Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 259 45 70
Visitor Information: Closed to visitors because of ongoing restoration.
