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Side of
Dolmabahçe Palace, built by Sultan Ist Abdülmecit during 19th century is
lying for 600 m at European coast of the Bosporus. Dolmabahçe Palace, is
constructed between 1843 and 1856 as a mixture of European art methods.
It is one of the pieces of art of Sultan Abdülmecit's architect, Karabet
Balya. There were always lots of palaces of Ottoman Sultans. But main
palace is left after completion of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe Palaces.
Dolmabahçe
Palace was three leveled and symmetric planned. There are 285 chambers
and 43 halls. It has a 600 m long wharf on the sea, and two monumental
gates, one is too much decorated on the land. In the middle of this
coastal palace, which is surrounded by well - kept and beautiful garden,
there is a ceremony and ball hall, which is higher than other divisions.
Huge, 56 coloumned greetings hall lost visitors in the amazement with
its 750 light illuminating and 4.5 tones of crystal chandelier.
Entrance
side of the palace is used for greetings and meetings of Sultanın, and
division at the opposite side of the ceremony hall is used as harem
division. Internal decoration, furnitures, silk carpet and curtains and
all other objects are remained till today with no defect like the
original. Dolmabahçe Palace has a richness and magnificence, which is
not present in all other palaces. Walls and ceilings are decorated with
tones of golden adornments and European artists' pictures of that period.
Everything has same tone and color in important rooms and halls. All
floors are covered with too much decorated wooden parquet which are
different from each other. Famous Hereke silk and wool carpets, most
beautiful pieces of Turkish art, are lied on various places. European
and Far Eastern rare decorative hand made pieces of art are decorating
all over the palace. Clear crystal chandeliers, candlesticks and
chimneys are showing their beauties within various rooms of the palace.
Biggest ball hall of the palaces of the
world is in this place. A gargantuan crystal chandelier weighting 4.5
tones is suspending from its 36 m. high dome. This hall, which is used
during important political meetings, congratulations and balls, was
previously heated by an under oven like arrangement. Central heating and
electricity system had been added to the palace afterwards. One of the
six hamams within Men's greeting hall, is decorated with unique,
beautiful adorned alabaster marbles. Upper galleries of this hall is
separated for orchestra and embassies.
In the harem division, which is reached with passing long
corridors, there are sultan's bed rooms and sultan's mother's division
as well as other women and servants' divisions. North addition division
of the palace is alloted for princes. Structure, whose entrance is at
Beşiktaş district, is serving as Picture and Statue Museum. Most
important thing in the palace, used by Atatürk as a resident during his
visits to Istanbul during Republic period, is the death of Atatürk on
1938. (It is always open except Mondays and Thursdays.) |
