The last palace of the Ottoman sultans is called Yıldız Saray (translated as the Stars’ Palace) and today it opens its doors to visitors for the first time.
The palace is located on the Yildiz (star) hill in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district and is spread over an area of about 500,000 square meters. Perhaps the most magnificent panorama of the Bosphorus opens from the hill.
Yıldız Saray, unlike the nearby Charagan Saray (today a prestigious 5-star Kempinski hotel), is relatively small, but it is an extremely beautiful and elegant palace complex that rivals European palaces.
It was built by order of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) for his mother Mihrishah Sultan. But under the reign of Sultan Abdulhamit II, it was expanded and modernized to its present form. For 33 years, it was used for managing state affairs and as a home for the Sultan and his family, including the harem.
The Star Palace preserves the memory of the most important events and personalities from the end of the Ottoman Empire. One of the last rulers of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdulhamid II, was forced to leave with his family when he was dethroned in a coup in 1909, never to return.
The last Ottoman sultan, Mehmet Vahdettin VI, also lived in the Star Palace for a while (he also lives in another mansion – Vahdettin Koşkü on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus, which is currently the presidential residence).
Yıldız Saray ceased to be used as a palace in 1922, when the Ottoman Empire came to an end.
After the proclamation of Turkey as a republic, the Star Palace was given to the Military Academy. It was then used by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, but remained closed to visitors. It is opened very rarely, for special receptions.
In 2018, it was granted to the Office of National Palaces of the Presidency.
After a long restoration, today it is planned that the landmark complex will be opened for the first time as a museum for visitors.
This will happen at a special ceremony in which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will participate.
Experts note that Yıldız Palace has undergone comprehensive restoration and conservation and landscaping activities.
The Sultan’s chambers, work pavilions, guest lounges, harem rooms and gardens have been restored to their original form and will welcome visitors for the first time in their history.
The Yildiz museum complex will be open every day except Monday.
Illustrative photo: A view from inside the Grand Mabeyin Mansion of Yıldız Palace (IÜ Ktp., Album, no. 90614).
