Asian side · Üsküdar
Beylerbeyi Palace
Sultan Abdülaziz’s summer palace on the Asian shore, built to receive foreign sovereigns.
Photographs of this palace are coming soon.
History
A wooden palace built under Mahmud II stood here until it burned. Sultan Abdülaziz replaced it with the present palace and its outbuildings between 1863 and 1865.
It was a summer residence and, above all, a guest house for foreign rulers: Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and Empress Eugénie of France in 1869, Prince Nikola of Montenegro in 1874, and Kaiser Wilhelm II.
After he was deposed, Abdülhamid II spent the last six years of his life here and died in the palace in 1918. The building blends Western and Eastern styles over the plan of a Turkish house: three floors with the basement, 24 rooms and 6 halls.
What to see
The main building
The Mabeyn and the Harem, the part open to visitors, with floors laid with matting brought from Egypt.
The furnishings
Hereke carpets, Baccarat chandeliers, English and French clocks and clocks made at the Golden Horn shipyard, and Chinese, Japanese, French, German and Yıldız porcelain.
The gardens
About seven hectares of terraces, with magnolias, chestnuts, lindens and Judas trees planted in the reign of Abdülhamid II.
Before you go
- The Sea Pavilions, the Yellow Pavilion, the Marble Pavilion and the Stable Pavilion are closed to visitors; the visit is the main building.
- A garden-only ticket is sold.
- Restoration news has been published in recent years; check the operator’s page before a special trip.
Questions
Can I see the Marble Pavilion?
Not at present. The operator lists it among the pavilions closed to visitors.
Which day is Beylerbeyi Palace closed?
Monday.