Friends, last week I showed you the interiors of the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, often referred to as the city's most luxurious governmental residence. Today, we will cross to the other side of the Bosphorus to explore the Beylerbeyi Palace. This complex is much smaller than the first one, but there is still plenty to see here.
Beylerbeyi Palace: The History of the Place
The first wooden palace at this location was built between 1829 and 1831. At that time, the complex's territory was much larger. Today, only the palace building, a few pavilions, and a small garden remain, but in the past, there was enough space for a deer reserve. The area where the Beylerbeyi Palace is located was originally called Stavros, which is sometimes translated as "cross." According to Istanbul guidebooks, this name could have been inspired by a large cross erected by Emperor Constantine at this site.
The original building of Beylerbeyi Palace was damaged by a fire in 1851. Although the ruling Sultan Abdulmejid could have continued to use part of the building, he never returned to the partially ruined residence.
The new palace was built between 1861 and 1865, designed by Sarkis Balyan. Beylerbeyi Palace was used as a summer residence and guest house to accommodate high-ranking guests. The facades and interiors of Beylerbeyi impress with their elegance and sophistication.
The palace is divided into public male and private female sections. It has 24 rooms and 6 halls. The interiors feature Turkish carpets, French chandeliers, English clocks, and vases from China, Japan, France, and other countries.
As mentioned earlier, Beylerbeyi Palace was used as a venue to host distinguished guests. One of its most famous visitors was the Empress of France, Eugénie. The wife of Napoleon III visited the palace in 1869 during her trip to the opening of the Suez Canal. It is said that she was so enchanted by the residence on the Bosphorus that she ordered a copy of the windows from Beylerbeyi for the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
Beylerbeyi Palace: How to Get There
I traveled to Beylerbeyi by Metrobus. The 15 Temmuz Şehitler Köprüsü Gişeleri stop is just a 10-minute walk from the entrance. As of November 2024, the entrance fee to the palace is 400 lira. According to the official website of Istanbul’s palace complexes, visitors can purchase a separate ticket just for the garden entrance, which costs 20 lira.
The grounds are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and photography inside the palace is prohibited.
After your visit to the palace, you can stroll around the neighborhood or take the Metrobus to explore the sights of Istanbul's Asian side. Nearby are the Çamlıca Tower, the Marmara University Faculty of Theology Mosque, and the vibrant, unique district of Kuzguncuk.
Have a nice trip!
