Also on the European side is the district of Besiktas, which is located along the Bosphorus bay. It is right across the Uskudar district and covers the area from Bebek down to the Bosphorus. Besiktas also serves as a docking place, as the length of the Bosphorus included here enjoys moderate shelter from the winds that blow into the city. Besiktas’ main claim to fame is the fact that Ottoman Rulers built their summer places here. In fact, some of the important examples of Ottoman architecture can be found in Besiktas – this includes hunting lodges and fabulous palaces. Most of these buildings were turned into government offices, while others, sadly, were pulled down, at the end of Ottoman rule, when the Turkish Republic was established (1924).
What’s great about Besiktas is that it’s so easy to get to any other point in Istanbul. Its central location means that there are buses, dolmuses (mini-buses), taxis, and even ferries that can transport you to another place after you have thoroughly explored Besiktas. It would help for you to remember that it is pronounced as “Beshiktash”, especially when you talk to the locals.
Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahce Cad., Besiktas) Simply magnificent – with close to 300 rooms and over 40 salons, this represents the Ottoman Empire in all its glory and splendor. It was built for Sultan Abdulmecit, who is said to have told his architect to build him a palace that will rival any palace built – past, present or future. It features monumental gates, opulent gardens and an impressive collection of chandeliers – the piece de resistance is a 4.5-ton chandelier made of Baccarat crystal. The richness of the Ottoman Empire is evident in everything you see here. The palace features carved alabaster baths, silk curtains and carpets, most of the original furniture, wood floors, and tons of gold for decorations. The royal bed was made entirely of silver. The Palace is also where the Turkish hero and founder of the Turkish Republic, Kemal Ataturk, breathed his last.
Ciragan Palace (Ciragan Cad. 84) Sultan Abdulaziz had this palace built in 1863, as an attempt to showcase all the splendors he saw during his travels to the rest of Europe. It is now a hotel – the city’s most opulent, by far. Actually, the original palace was destroyed by fire and what you will see now is a restoration, although this is a decidedly more modern version.
Yildiz Palace (Barbaros Bulvarı Yıldız Park) Another Ottoman palace on a hill! Visit its gardens and marvel at the different pavilions, villas and buildings spread over the valleys and hills. Yildiz Palace (which means Star Palace) started out as a pavilion during Sultan Mihrisah’s time (1880). This was expanded further during Sultan Abdulhamid, who added a number of buildings that make up what the interesting tourist spot Yildiz Palace is now. It is also the second-largest palace in Istanbul. These buildings include:
- The Şale Pavilion. This two-story building is a mixture of stone and wood, with a design inspired by those found on Swiss Chalet. The building is actually made of three sections. The original kiosk was expended every time there was a state visit to the palace. So now the pavilion is a delightful combination of Baroque, Islamic and Rococo style. A top tourist draw is the Mother-of-Pearl Salon (Sedefli Salon), where almost the whole room was covered in mother-of-pearl. Of course, there is also the Ceremonial Hall. It features a Hereke carpet, a single carpet that was woven to cover the whole room – all 406 square meters of it! The Yellow room, on the other hand, features elegant wood moldings and landscape paintings on the ceiling. It may also surprise you that Abdulhamid II made some of the fine furniture you will see in the pavilion.
- The Malta Pavilion: Built in the 19th century, the kiosk features Rococo style arches, graceful marble columns, crystal halls, baroque style windows and cornices. There is also a swan fountain made of marble.
- The Cadir Pavilion: Used as a prison by the Sultan Abdulaziz, this is where you head to when you want something to eat after your extensive tour of the Palace
- The Yildiz Palace Museum: Here, you can see some of the things that were used in the Palace during the reign of the Ottoman Empire. The collection includes thrones of the different rulers, wooden artifacts and porcelain. This building used to be the sultan’s carpentry workshop.
- The Imperial Porcelain Factory: This museum cum factory is where you can see examples of authentic Ottoman porcelain. The factory also produces replicas of Ottoman porcelain, as well as modern designs. The building itself is an attraction, as it is designed to look like a medieval castle.
- The Yildiz Theater and Opera House: Look up and you will see that the ceiling has stars.
Other interesting tourist spots include the Military Museum (Valikonagi Caddesi, Harbiye), which features a fascinating collection of Ottoman weaponry and the Naval Museum (Besiktas Caddesi) which is a showcase of the boats used by the sultan and his navy.