Yildiz Palace, which is the last architectural example of Turkish Ottoman palace, is located on the Yildiz hill in the district of Besiktas.
Yıldız Palace, meaning “Star Palace”, was built in 1880 and was used by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülhamid II.
The palace is a complex of buildings including the State Apartments (Büyük Mabeyn), Şale Pavilion, the Malta Pavilion, the Çadır Pavilion, the Yıldız Theater and Opera House, the Yıldız Palace Museum, and the Imperial Porcelain Factory. The Yıldız Palace Gardens are also a popular public site among the residents of Istanbul. A bridge connects the Yıldız Palace with the Çırağan Palace on the Bosphorus through the palace gardens. The sultan’s residence was in the Şale Kiosk or pavilion. The building has two floors and a basement and is constructed from a mix of wood and stone. It was constructed in three phases. The Malta Kiosk, a pavilion located in Yıldız Park, was built by Sultan Abdülaziz, who used it as to detain his predecessor.
Yildiz Palace Museum
The building, which was opened as a museum on April 8th 1994, consists of a large gallery in 90 meters length. It is understood that the building was used as a museum as indicated by the photos of the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) and the valuable objects were exhibited in this residence. Artworks, displayed in the museum belongs to the palace; some of them were taken over while they were in Topkapi Palace. Artworks included belongings of Sultan Abdulhamid II, his carpenter tools, gifts given to him and the products of Yildiz Porcelain Factory then.
The entire palace has been recently restored and painted. They aim to open more parts of the palace and make it one of Istanbul’s major palaces. You can find many valuable furniture inside the rooms and also a beautiful summer house in the garden. Do not miss the museum the next door to the palace entrance it is covered by the same ticket. The palace is a little far from other sights (after Dolmabahche.) It is not easy to get to the museum, you may need a taxi or walk a long way up the hill.
The Museum visiting hours are from 09.00 until 19.00 during the Summer Season (April 15th – November 1 st). During the winter season (November 1st – April 15th) the museum is open from 09.00 until 16.30. The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
Ticket Price: 10 TL
Address:
Yildiz Palace Museum
Yildiz Mah. Barbaros Bulv. Hamam Sok. No:62
Gayrettepe, Besiktas, Istanbul
