Dolmabache Palace History

Dolmabahçe Palace, an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of opulence, stands proudly on the European shores of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey. Its history is intertwined with the changing fortunes of the Ottoman Empire and the transition to a modern Turkish Republic.

The construction of Dolmabahçe Palace began in 1843, during the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid I. The palace was designed by the Armenian architects Garabet Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan, who fused elements of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles to create a structure that exudes grandeur. The palace was built to replace the older, more traditional Ottoman residences like Topkapi Palace.

Dolmabahçe Palace served as the main administrative center and royal residence of the Ottoman Empire until its demise in 1922. It witnessed significant events in Turkish history, including the signing of the Treaty of Hünkâr İskelesi in 1833, which marked the beginning of the Tanzimat reforms.

One of the most remarkable features of the palace is the Crystal Staircase, adorned with Baccarat crystal balusters, and the Crystal Chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria, weighing 4.5 tons and featuring 750 lights.

The palace also bears witness to the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, stayed at the palace during his visits to Istanbul. It was here that he spent his final days before passing away in 1938.

Today, Dolmabahçe Palace is a museum, allowing visitors to explore its lavish interiors, including the Ceremonial Hall, where the last Ottoman Sultans held court. It stands as a testament to the changing tides of history, reflecting both the grandeur of the Ottoman era and the emergence of modern Turkey.

• 16th century: The coasts of the present-day Dolmabahce area begin to get filled.
• 17th century: The Besiktas Coastal Palace is constructed in the Dolmabahce region.
• June 13, 1843: Sultan Abdulmecid orders the demolition of Besiktas and the construction of the Dolmabahce Palace in the area.
• June 06, 1856: The Ottoman Empire headquarters were shifted to Dolmabahce Palace from Topkapi Palace.
• 1877: The Meclis-i-Mebusan meets in the Palace.
• November 01, 1922: Dolmabahce Palace functions as the Caliphate Palace after the Sultanate’s abolition.
• March 03, 1924: Caliphate is abolished, and Dolmabahce Palace becomes a national public place.
• July 01, 1927: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk starts staying at Dolmabahce Palace.
• August 27, 1928: The Alphabet Conference is held in the Palace.
• September 26, 1932: Dolmabahce Palace holds its first Congress on language.
• November 10, 1938: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk passed away in his room at Dolmabahce Palace.

The Dolmabahce Palace, renowned for its neoclassical beauty and impressive scale, attracts tourists as a museum, providing insights into the opulent lives of Ottoman sultans. The Palace boasts stunning features such as a magnificent crystal chandelier and a graceful staircase that are sure to captivate visitors with their luxuriousness and splendor.

Within its walls, a collection of ancient artifacts dating back to the days of the Ottoman Empire can be found. Through diligent restoration efforts carried out over time, the Dolmabahce Palace's magnificence and charm have been carefully maintained, allowing it to welcome the public for guided tours and exploration.

The Besiktas coast attracted much attention during the Ottoman rule in Dolmabache palace history. Pavilions, palace structures, and gardens were constructed here for the Sultans from the latter half of the fifteenth century to the early sixteenth century. The gardens inspired the name Dolmabahce, which means “filled-in garden”.

The Ottoman Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, had constructed a summer palace on a hill behind the Besiktas royal gardens. After the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul, the shoreline became the anchorage and gathering point of the Ottoman navy fleet. Numerous wooden pavilions and small summer pavilions came up in the area in the 18th and 19th centuries, creating the Besiktas Waterfront Palace.

The first Ottoman structure in Dolmabahce Palace history came up in the Bayezid II Period of the late fifteenth century. Royal interests in the area continued to increase and became evident by the seventeenth century. Several palace-related structures, royal gardens, and the Tiled Pavilion were constructed by the imperial masters of the region.

It was in the early years of the seventeenth century that Sultan Ahmed I filled the bay area up to the Levent Farm and constructed a royal garden. The land reclamation led to the region being referred to as “dolma-bahce”, or the “filled-up garden”. Numerous entertainment activities, like javelin throwing, and wedding ceremonies were held in the newly-created region.

The Besiktas Coastal Palace was Istanbul’s second largest palace after Topkapi Palace but was unsuitable for long-term accommodations. It was demolished on Sultan Abdulmecid’s orders, who ordered the construction of Dolmabahce Palace in 1843. In 1856, the Sultan departed from Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahce Palace became the Ottomans’ official residence and administrative centre. The Dolmabahce Palace history witnessed Ottoman westernisation efforts from 1856 to the 1923 declaration of the Republic.

The last six Ottoman Sultans, the last Caliph, and the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, lived in the Palace. Dolmabahce Palace history has seen revolutionary political developments like the Alphabet Revolution, Language Revolution, Parliament opening, and Congresses of History and Language. The Palace was conferred a museum-palace status and opened to tourists in 1984.