History of Dolmabahçe Palace

Gokce Nacar

Apr 19 4173 read

History of Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahce Palace is the first European-style palace and it was built by Sultan Abdülmecid in Istanbul. It was started to doing in 1842 and was completed in 1853. Its cost was approximately 5 million Ottoman gold pounds and it is equal to 35 tons of gold. The opening of Dolmabahce Palace that was thoroughly completed was in 1856 with the signing of the Paris Agreement. In the Ceride-i Havadis news that was published in June 1856, it is said that the palace completely opened. There is a rumor that when Abdülmecid get the palace done, he said that ‘ All the bad and ugly things are banned here, there must be only good and beautiful things '

It was a big bay of the Bosporus where ships anchored. This bay, where maritime ceremonies are held, became a swamp over time. The bay which was started to fill in the 17. Century was converted to a garden that Sultans’ rest and fun place.

Dolmabahce Palace which was built with great expense was used during the feast ceremonies that were held twice a year in the Great Muayede Hall during the 33-year reign of Sultan Abdülhamit who was the father of Abdülmecid.

Then Sultan Abdülmecid’s caliphate was declared. The new caliph Abdülmecid received the delegation came from the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on the upper floor of Dolmabahçe's Mabeyn Office Hall. Abdülmecit left Dolmabahçe Palace with the abolition of the caliphate in 1924.

The palace gained 2 importance in this period of time; hosting foreign guests in this place and opening the palace doors to the outside in terms of culture and art. Turkey Touring and Automobile Association which is connected to the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme Europe Meeting arranged in the Dolmabahce Palace therefore the palace opened its door to tourism for the first time.

Decorations

You can be seen mixed of European architectural styles in the palace. Dolambahce Palace has a symmetrical structure and there are 285 rooms and 43 halls. Also, there is 2 huge door and ceremonial hall. In every corner of the palace, there are a lot of fireplaces, candlesticks, and chandeliers. You can found the world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier at the center of the ballroom. It has 750 lamps and weighs 4.5 tons.

The Dolmabahce Palace’s entrance was used in order to Sultan’s meetings. The ceremonial hall’s other side was used as a harem. North attachment to the palace was given to the sultan’s sons. The palace’s interior decoration, furniture, carpets, curtail, and other products are still using without any deformation.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

When Abdülmecid left the palace, Atatürk did not come there for 3 years. In the Republic period, he came to Istanbul and spent his last times here. The most important event while Atatürk’s visiting during the Republic time is Atatürk’s death on 10 November 1938. He passed away in the palace’s room called 71. In Muayede Hall, his dead body was sent off with all respect. The palace was used after Atatürk’s death by the İsmet İnönü in order to stay there. After the one-party period, the palace was put into service in order to host foreign guests. This room is now part of the museum.

Dolmabahçe Palace is Istanbul’s one of the most magnificent structures. Discover the beauty in it! Just look at the website and find whatever you need. When you check the website before go there, everything will be much easier!