“Turkey 🇹🇷 ~Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul”
Another day, out and about in Istanbul. We did not get the beautiful blue sky and sunshine like we enjoy, but it did not rain, either.
Its hard to believe we have been in Istanbul for over two and a half weeks, already. Time never slows down, ever! This much time in one location has been very good for us. We have slowed our roll, and the benefits of taking a little respite, from hauling luggage around the globe, has been very nice. We also have enough time to file taxes; thank goodness for the internet, and my wonderful daughter who is scanning, scanning and doing more scanning for us, back in the country we hail from.
Normally, we do not hang out in big cities very long, as we usually find them to noisy, and too intense; much preferring a quieter venue on the outskirts, to reside in for any long-term stay. But, Istanbul is the exception to this rule for us. It’s just a pleasant place to be.
It took 13 years to build this Palace, and it was completed in 1856. Dolmabahçe Palace served as the administrative center for the Ottoman Empire until 1922.
The palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid (who decided there should be a more European palace than Topkapi had to show). and designed by Armenian architect Karabet Balian and his son Nikogos Balian. It is an ostentatious-blended architectural style, including Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical and modern Ottoman; dripping in luxury
*The women of the harem had to watch the grand ceremonies in the hall through the grilles, behind which they were kept hidden.
*The founder of the Turkish Republic; Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, died in this palace and the clock remains set to the time he died; 9:05am on November 10, 1938. Every year at this time, the whole of Turkey comes to a standstill in remembrance.
*The construction cost five million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, which would be the equivalent of around $1.5 billion in 2013 values, and the strain it placed on the empire’s resources, contributed to its deteriorating financial status
When touring inside the palace buildings, we were required to wear booties over our shoes
Dolmabahçe literally means “filled garden,” in Turkish language
The height of the four-story tower is approximately 89 feet and it stands on a floor area of 28 x 28 feet. It has four clocks on its four sides and they were produced by clock-master Johann Mayer.
In 1979, the original mechanical clock was converted partly to an electrical one and its clocks are still functioning
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Hello and Welcome to our Travel Blog Website, We enjoy writing about our experiences and taking photos of our adventuring along the way. Our names are: Daryl and Pen, but Daryl calls me “Bunny.” We met, quite randomly, whilst both… Read More
Castles are always so facinating and this was right up there! You say pictures weren’t allowed and how opulent it was so that must have been frustrating. Why were you unwillingly separated? The other one was impressive with it’s massive size and thicknesses. As always, love the history. I agree with Laurie and Judith said, especially for the “tick” of when it’s been read. You both looked happy and also well rested. Love to you both.
Thanks Nancy, Thx for the comment.
The grounds and inside was very pretty, and rich. Yet, also very uncomfortable. The furnishings were mostly chairs.. straight back and rigid,. Daryl and I go two different speeds sometimes. I go faster, especially not being able to photograph
Very cool! Hard to remember all my impressions but/thoughts but here are a couple.
1. The outside walkway was striking; marble? Limestone? Very pretty and obviously well-maintained.
2. The concept of dorm rooms for the harem actually makes sense to me – pampered as I’m sure they were, in some ways, I’m guessing their services were provided/performed in the client’s boudoir. So no need to make too much effort for, basically, servant’s quarters.
Just my .02.
Hi Laurie!
Thank you so much for your post.
Yes, marble walkways, in very good shape…slippery when wet!
The different architecture choices as a whole did not blend well to my eye. Once we entered the grounds, through the amazing entrance, it became les palatial (on the outside, anyway) Even the main quarters of the Sultans residents is plain (on the inside it is not)
Totally a staff quartet fir the harem, agree! The inside was very nice. We were not allowed access to much if the palace structures, and inside photos were not allowed, so it was limiting, what I could get. The most beautiful parts we could not photograph, die to watchful eyes of staff
Looks very grand
It is said to be one if the most opulent palaces in the world. I do not know if that’s true, but the fact it was so very well dressed in original furnishing, does speak volumes. The grounds were very nicely manicured
This is where I need a tick to say I have read your reply. Sometimes I can’t get the words out to write down. Oh I know , so I am going by either Judy Twist or Judith Helen
I hear ya. As our web guy catches up since being away fir a week, I can ask him. Maybe we can add it.
Judy or Judith ✅