Yıldız Palace

Yıldız Palace

Yıldız Palace means "Star Palace" and was the villa of the Ottoman sultans in the late 19th century. It is located in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, Turkey. The site of Yıldız Palace was originally a natural woodland, which became royal property during the reign of Ahmed I (1603–1617). Sultans who came after Ahmed I loved to vacation here, and both Abdulmejid I and Abdulaziz I had villas built on the grounds.

Yıldız Palace was originally built in 1880 by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II. He left the Dolmabahçe Palace by the Bosphorus due to fears of a potential sea attack. He ordered the renowned Italian architect Raimondo D'Aronco to expand Yıldız Palace, after which he moved there. The palace thus became the fourth seat of the Ottoman government (after the Old Palace in Edirne, the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul, and Dolmabahçe Palace).

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Yıldız Palace was converted into a luxury casino and later into a state guesthouse for visiting heads of state and royalty. Today, it is a museum, and the Istanbul Antiques Fair is usually held in the palace’s arsenal in November. The headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is also located within Yıldız Palace.

Yıldız Palace

Must-visit reason: One of Istanbul's most prominent imperial residences

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Turkey[turkey]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Istanbul Province [Istanbul Province]

City where the attraction is located: Istanbul [Istanbul]