The Ottoman Sultans’ last palace, known as Yildiz Saray (Star Palace), is now open to visitors for the first time.
The palace is located on Yildiz (Star) Hill in the Besiktas district of Istanbul and covers an area of about 500,000 square meters. Perhaps the most magnificent panorama of the Bosphorus opens from the hill.
Unlike the nearby Sharganj Saray (now the prestigious five-star Kempinski Hotel), Yildiz Saray is a relatively small but beautiful and elegant palace complex that rivals the palaces of Europe.
It was built by order of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) for his mother Mihrisha Sultan. However, it was expanded and modernized under the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II to its current appearance. It served as the administrative center of state affairs and the home of the Sultan, his family, and the harem for 33 years.
The Star Palace preserves the memory of the most important events and figures since the end of the Ottoman Empire. One of the last rulers of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdulhamid II, was deposed in a coup in 1909 and had to leave with his family, never to return.
The last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet Bakhdetin VI, also lived in the Star Palace for a time (he also lived in another mansion, Bakhdetin Kosku, on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, which currently serves as the presidential residence).
With the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1922, Yildiz Saray ceased to be used as a palace.
After Turkey was proclaimed a republic, the Star Palace was given to the Military Academy. It was then used by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, but was closed to visitors. It is only opened very rarely for special receptions.
In 2018, it was granted to the Office of the Presidential Palace.
After extensive restoration work, the landmark complex is set to open for the first time as a museum for visitors today.
The event will be held at a special ceremony attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Experts point out that the Yildizi Palace has undergone comprehensive restoration, conservation and landscaping activities.
The Sultan’s chambers, study, guest lounge, harem rooms and gardens have been restored to their original appearance and will be open to visitors for the first time in history.
The Yildiz Museum Complex is open every day except Mondays.
Caption Photo: View from inside the Grand Mabeyin Mansion of the Yildiz Palace (IÜ Ktp., album, no. 90614).
