National Palaces: Turkey's Historical and Cultural Heritage

National Palaces Turkey's Historical and Cultural Heritage
National Palaces Turkey's Historical and Cultural Heritage

📩 03/10/2023 11:16

National Palaces, It is the presidency that operates under the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey and is responsible for the protection and arrangement of national palaces. Founded in 1925, the Presidency of National Palaces currently manages a network of 11 palaces, mansions, pavilions, museums and factories located in Istanbul, Ankara and Edirne.

National Palaces are important heritages that reflect the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey. Palaces are places where Ottoman sultans, sultans, presidents and statesmen lived and used. These structures display the best examples of Ottoman and Turkish art.

National Palaces offer their visitors the opportunity to get to know Ottoman and Turkish history and culture closely. The palaces offer visitors a rich experience with organized tours, exhibitions and events.

The palaces, mansions, pavilions, museums and factories within the National Palaces are as follows:

  • In Istanbul:
    • Topkapi palace: Topkapı Palace is a palace located in Sarayburnu, between the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, in the Fatih district of Istanbul. It is the palace where the Ottoman sultans lived and was used as the administrative center of the state for 600 years of the 400-year history of the Ottoman Empire.

      Topkapi Palace is spread over an area of ​​700.000 square meters and is one of the largest palace complexes in the world. The palace consists of four main parts:

      Topkapi Palace is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of the world. Various works reflecting the rich history and culture of the Ottoman Empire are exhibited in the palace. These include jewellery, weapons, carpets, manuscripts and religious artifacts.

      Topkapi Palace welcomes millions of visitors every year. The palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

      Topkapi palace

    • Dolmabahçe Palace:Dolmabahçe Palace is a palace located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. Built in the 18th century, the palace became the official residence of the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th century.

      Dolmabahçe Palace is a mixture of European and Ottoman architecture. The palace is spread over an area of ​​45.000 square meters and contains 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilets.

      Dolmabahçe Palace is one of Turkey's most important historical and cultural heritage. Various works reflecting the rich history and culture of the Ottoman Empire are exhibited in the palace. These include jewellery, weapons, carpets, manuscripts and religious artifacts.

      Dolmabahçe Palace welcomes millions of visitors every year. The palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

      Dolmabahçe Palace

    • Beylerbeyi Palace: Beylerbeyi Palace is an Ottoman palace located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. Built in the mid-19th century, the palace was the summer residence of the sultans during the last period of the Ottoman Empire.

      Beylerbeyi Palace is a mixture of European and Ottoman architecture. The palace is spread over an area of ​​11.000 square meters and contains 24 rooms, 6 halls and 1 bath.

      Beylerbeyi Palace is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Turkey. Various works reflecting the rich history and culture of the Ottoman Empire are exhibited in the palace. These include jewellery, weapons, carpets, manuscripts and religious artifacts.

      Beylerbeyi Palace welcomes millions of visitors every year. The palace is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

      Beylerbeyi Palace

    • Küçüksu Pavilion: Küçüksu Pavilion is an Ottoman pavilion located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Abdülmecit in 1856.

      Küçüksu Pavilion is a mixture of baroque and rococo architecture. Pavilion, 15 x 27 meters It was built on an area using the masonry technique and made of masonry. The basement of the pavilion, which has three floors including its basement, is reserved for the pantry, kitchen and servants, while the other floors are reserved for the cellar, kitchen and servants. It is arranged in the form of four rooms opening to a central space.

      The most important part of the pavilion is the section called the "Great Hall" on the first floor. The hall is 24 meters long and 12 meters wide. The walls of the hall are decorated with paintings and mirrors.

      Küçüksu Pavilion serves as a museum today. Various artifacts from the Ottoman period are exhibited inside the pavilion. These include furniture, carpets, tiles and glassware.

      Küçüksu Pavilion is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Istanbul. The pavilion hosts thousands of visitors every year.

      Küçüksu Pavilion

      • Aynalıkavak Pavilion:

        Aynalıkavak Pavilion is an Ottoman pavilion located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Hasköy district of Istanbul. It was built in the 17th century and was completed by Sultan III in the 18th century. It was rebuilt by Ahmed.

        The pavilion was built in the 16th century as part of Tersane-i Amire. In the 18th century, Sultan III. It was rebuilt as a palace by Ahmed. The pavilion was named "Aynalıkavak Pavilion" because it was decorated with large-sized, valuable mirrors brought from Venice.

        The pavilion has two floors and a square plan. The ground floor is reserved for the servants and harem women. The first floor is the section used by the sultan and his family members.

        The most important part of the pavilion is the section called "Mirror Hall" on the first floor. The hall is 24 meters long and 12 meters wide. The walls of the hall are covered with mirrors. In the middle of the hall, there is a marble pool.

        Aynalıkavak Pavilion serves as a museum today. Various artifacts from the Ottoman period are exhibited inside the pavilion. These include furniture, carpets, tiles and glassware.

        Aynalıkavak Pavilion is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Istanbul. The pavilion hosts thousands of visitors every year.

        Aynalıkavak pavilion

      • Ihlamur Pavilion:Ihlamur Pavilion is an Ottoman pavilion located in the valley between Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı in Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Abdülmecid between 1849-1855. The pavilion took its name from the Ihlamur Valley where it is located.

        Ihlamur Pavilion consists of two separate buildings: Merasim Pavilion and Maiyet Pavilion. Ceremony Pavilion is the section where Sultan Abdülmecid held his official ceremonies and hosted foreign heads of state. The Maiyet Mansion was reserved for the Sultan's entourage and harem.

        The exterior of the pavilion is in neoclassical architectural style. The interiors reflect a mixture of Ottoman and European architecture. The walls of the pavilion are decorated with wood carvings and hand-carved works.

        Ihlamur Pavilion serves as a museum today. Various artifacts from the Ottoman period are exhibited inside the pavilion. These include furniture, carpets, tiles and glassware.

        Ihlamur Pavilion is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Istanbul. The pavilion hosts thousands of visitors every year.

        linden age

      • Star Palace:Yıldız Palace is an Ottoman palace located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. At the end of the 19th century, Sultan II. It was built by Abdulhamid. The palace is spread over an area of ​​500.000 square meters and consists of 19 different mansions and pavilions.

        Yıldız Palace reflects a mixture of European and Ottoman architecture. The exterior of the palace is in neoclassical architectural style. The interiors reflect a mixture of Ottoman and European architecture. The walls of the palace are decorated with wood carvings and hand-carved works.

        Yıldız Palace was used as the official residence of sultans and dignitaries in the last period of the Ottoman Empire. Various works reflecting the rich history and culture of the Ottoman Empire are exhibited in the palace. These include jewellery, weapons, carpets, manuscripts and religious artifacts.

        Yıldız Palace serves as a museum today. The palace welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

        star Palace

      • Yıldız Porcelain Factory: Yıldız Porcelain Factory is a factory and museum located in Yıldız Park in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul. Between 1892 and 1894, Sultan II. By Abdulhamid, the porcelain needs of the palaces and mansions were met. It was established to meet and develop the declining art of tile.

        The factory imported technology from the French company Serves and Limoges s Work started, and expert personnel and tile molds were brought from France for this purpose. The factory, which was seriously damaged in the 1894 Istanbul earthquake, suspended production for a while and was repaired by Italian Architect Raimondo D'Aronco.

        Factory, It continued to operate under the control of Sümerbank during the Republic period, and was transferred to the Presidency of National Palaces with the privatization of Sümer Holding in 1994.

        Today, Yıldız Porcelain Factory serves as a museum. Various porcelain items from the Ottoman period are exhibited inside the factory. These include vases, plates, tea sets and coffee sets.

        The exterior of the factory is in neoclassical architectural style. The interiors reflect a mixture of Ottoman and European architecture. The walls of the factory are decorated with wood carvings and hand-carved works.

        Yıldız Porcelain Factory is one of the most important historical and cultural heritages of Istanbul. The factory welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

  • In Ankara:
    • Ankara Palace Museum:

      Ankara Palace Museum is a museum located in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The museum is located in the Ankara Palas Hotel, which was built in 1928 and was used for members of parliament and official guests in the early years of the Republic of Turkey.

      The museum was opened to visitors in 2019. Photographs, documents and artifacts from the founding years of the Republic of Turkey are exhibited in the museum. These include items used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, photographs of the first meetings of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and flags and medals used in the early years of Turkey.

      The museum is an important place that reflects the historical and cultural heritage of Ankara. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

      Ankara Palace Museum

      • Çankaya Atatürk Mansion Museum: Çankaya Atatürk Mansion Museum is a museum located in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The museum is located in the mansion where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk lived and worked between 1921-1932.

        The mansion was built in the late 19th century. When Atatürk came to Ankara in 1921, he used the mansion as his headquarters. The mansion houses Atatürk's personal belongings, as well as photographs, documents and artifacts from the founding years of the Republic of Turkey.

        The museum was opened to visitors in 1950. The museum welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

        The museum is an important historical and cultural heritage from the founding years of the Republic of Turkey. The museum is an important resource for those who want to get to know the life and work of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk closely.

Çankaya Atatürk Mansion Museum

  • In Edirne:
    • Edirne Palace: Edirne Palace was one of the largest and most magnificent palaces of the Ottoman Empire. It was the second largest palace of the Ottoman Empire after the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Since Edirne was the second capital of the Ottoman Empire, the palace was used as the official residence of the sultans and dignitaries.

      The palace was built in 1450 by Sultan II. It was started to be built by Murat and was completed in 1475 by Sultan II. It was completed by Mehmet. The palace is spread over an area of ​​300.000 square meters, on the banks of the Tunca River.

      The palace consists of various sections. Among these, there are Cihannüma Pavilion, Old Palace, New Palace, Merasim Pavilion, Harem and Hasbahçe.

      Cihannüma Pavilion is the most important structure of the palace. There is an octagonal room on the top floor of the 7-storey pavilion. In the middle of this room, there is a pool.

      The Old Palace was built in the 14th century. This part of the palace was used in the early years of the Ottoman Empire.

      The New Palace was built in the 15th century. This part of the palace was used during the most glorious period of the Ottoman Empire.

      Ceremony Pavilion is the section where the sultans held their official ceremonies.

      Harem is the section where the sultan's family and relatives live.

      Hasbahçe is a garden located inside the palace.

      Edirne Palace is an important historical heritage reflecting the rich history and culture of the Ottoman Empire. Today, the palace has been restored and opened to visitors.

National Palaces are one of Turkey's most important tourism destinations. Palaces welcome millions of visitors every year.

Edirne Palace

History of National Palaces

The history of the National Palaces dates back to the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman sultans, sultans, presidents and statesmen lived in various palaces, mansions and mansions in Istanbul, Ankara and Edirne. These structures display the best examples of Ottoman and Turkish art.

After the proclamation of the Republic, various studies were initiated to protect and organize the National Palaces. The Directorate of National Palaces, established in 1925, undertook this task. In 1982, the National Palaces Directorate was transformed into the National Palaces Department. In 2018, the National Palaces Administration was established.

Protection and Arrangement of National Palaces

National Palaces are one of the most important cultural heritages of the Republic of Turkey. For this reason, various studies are carried out to protect and organize the National Palaces.

The Presidency of National Palaces carries out the restoration, maintenance and repair works of the palaces. In addition, efforts are being made to promote the palaces and improve visitor services.

Preserving and organizing the National Palaces is of great importance for transferring Turkey's cultural heritage to future generations.

Visiting the National Palaces

National Palaces offer visitors the opportunity to get to know Ottoman and Turkish history and culture closely. The palaces offer visitors a rich experience with organized tours, exhibitions and events.