Beylerbeyi Palace

Beylerbeyi Palace is located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, on the seafront in the Üsküdar district. When passing by boat through the strait, the palace's white marble façade right at the water's edge and the green gardens rising behind it immediately catch the eye. Reflecting the splendour of the Ottoman Empire, this structure leaves a deep impression on visitors, both because of its magnificent location and its position right next to the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge (formerly the Bosphorus Bridge). The silhouette of the palace, blending with the cool breeze of the Bosphorus waters, offers an unforgettable first impression for both Istanbulites and foreign guests, combining the historical fabric of Istanbul with the Bosphorus view.

History of Beylerbeyi Palace

Commissioned by Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz between 1863 and 1865, Beylerbeyi Palace was originally designed as a summer retreat for the sultans and a state guesthouse for foreign dignitaries. Construction of the palace began on 6 August 1863, and its grand opening was held on 21 April 1865. Before this palace was built, a wooden palace constructed during the reign of Mahmud II stood on the same site; however, it became unusable after a fire in 1851, and the new palace was erected on this site. Built under the leadership of Sarkis Balyan from the Balyan family of architects, the new Beylerbeyi Palace quickly became the Ottoman Empire's favourite summer palace. Upon his return from a trip to Europe, Sultan Abdülaziz began to host his foreign guests here, and the palace welcomed important guests of the period, such as Empress Eugénie (France) and German Emperor Wilhelm II. Abdülhamid II was deposed after the 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian War and spent the last six years of his life (1912-1918) in compulsory residence here, passing away in this palace on 10 February 1918. Preserved as a museum-palace during the Republican era, Beylerbeyi hosted the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who visited Turkey at Atatürk's invitation in 1934. In 1936, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed at the palace for one night during the Balkan Games. Today, the palace serves as a museum, offering both local and foreign visitors a journey through history.

Architecture of Beylerbeyi Palace

The architecture of Beylerbeyi Palace reflects an elegant synthesis of Eastern and Western styles. Built on a pier by the sea, the main structure is two-storeyed, constructed of masonry (stone) on a high basement level. Covering an area of approximately 2,500 m², the rectangular palace has a traditional Turkish house layout with Harem and Mabeyn (reception) sections; there are a total of 6 halls, 24 rooms, 1 hammam and 1 bathroom on both floors. The exterior façade design displays Neo-Classical, Baroque and Renaissance influences and presents a Western appearance. The interior decoration, however, is extremely rich in accordance with the classical Ottoman palace tradition; particularly in the Mabeyn (Selamlık) section, marble-like stucco plaster, hand-painted motifs on canvas and abundant gold leaf decorations are striking. On the ground floor of the palace, there is a pool covered with glass, which draws its water directly from the sea; the halls surrounding this pool are connected to the upper floor by wide double staircases. The ceilings of the reception hall on the upper floor feature paintings with ship and wave themes, reflecting Sultan Abdülaziz's passion for the sea. While the exterior of the palace generally has a Western palace appearance, the Ottoman motifs and traditional layout of the interior decorations give this structure an eclectic and fascinating character. Furthermore, the palace's extensive gardens are decorated with bronze animal sculptures, such as lions and tigers, made in Paris; the gardens also feature a large pond (80×30 m) where one can go boating. These architectural and artistic details make the Beylerbeyi Palace one of the most special works of art on the Bosphorus coast.

Exploring Beylerbeyi Palace by Yacht

Located on the Anatolian side, where the Bosphorus begins to narrow, Beylerbeyi Palace is one of those structures that, thanks to its proximity to the shore, makes its relationship with the water felt from the first glance, making its location an integral part of its architecture. Despite the dense silhouette on the opposite shore, the palace maintains its own order and tranquility, standing as a natural element of balance between the two shores. The proportions and the rhythm of the facade, often imperceptible from land, become much more legible when viewed from the sea, highlighting the conscious simplicity of the building. As the yacht moves parallel to the shore, the palace displays an architectural approach that prefers to flow with the landscape rather than dominate it. This approach allows Beylerbeyi to convey its grandeur without shouting. Viewing it from sea level allows for a leisurely appreciation of the harmony the building establishes with the Bosphorus. Here, time slows down despite the surrounding activity. Seeing Beylerbeyi Palace from this perspective offers a privilege that only becomes possible when you charter a yacht and sail along the Anatolian side. Those wishing to see Beylerbeyi Palace from the sea can compare the yacht charter options in our fleet, specify the number of people in the group, the charter duration, and their menu and extra service preferences online, and instantly see how these choices affect the total cost via yatkiralama.net/en.