Located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus Strait, in the Beylerbeyi neighbourhood of Üsküdar district, Beylerbeyi Palace immediately catches the eye with its location and elegant architecture.
This magnificent structure, located right above the pier on the seashore, invites visitors on a journey back in time with its white marble facade decorations reflecting the waters of the Bosphorus. Originally built as a summer palace (sayfiye sarayı) during the Ottoman period, the Beylerbeyi Palace has become one of Istanbul's most special corners thanks to its historical texture and unique view of the Bosphorus. Today, the palace is open to visitors as a museum-palace (a palace converted into a museum), serving as a popular destination where both locals and foreign guests can explore the historical atmosphere while enjoying the breeze of the Bosphorus. Even those who pass by the Bosphorus by boat for the first time are impressed by the silhouette of the Beylerbeyi Palace reflected on the water before they even enter.
History
During the Byzantine period, there were groves known as İstavroz Gardens in the area where the Beylerbeyi Palace is located. During the Ottoman period, various pavilions and small palaces were built in this area. In the early 19th century, Ottoman Sultan Mahmud II had a wooden seaside palace built here in 1829, turning the area into one of the royal family's summer residences. One of the largest seaside palaces of its time, the old Beylerbeyi Palace included pavilions named Mermer Köşk and Sarı Köşk, as well as many additional structures such as the mabeyn and harem quarters, a hamam, kitchens, and stables. However, in 1851, while Sultan Abdülmecid was staying in this wooden palace, a major fire broke out, reducing the structure to ashes. Abdulmecid, who survived the fire, considered this event to be a bad omen and abandoned the palace, which remained in ruins for many years.
Sultan Abdulaziz, who came to power in 1861, decided to completely demolish the ruined seaside palace abandoned by his predecessor and build a new palace made of stone and brick that would be resistant to fire. Construction of the current Beylerbeyi Palace began on 6 August 1863 and was completed in approximately one and a half years; the palace was officially opened with a grand ceremony on 21 April 1865. The architectural design of the palace was entrusted to Sarkis Balyan, one of the renowned Ottoman architects of the period, and his brother Agop Balyan. Sultan Abdülaziz primarily used the Beylerbeyi Palace as his residence during the late spring and summer months; he would typically move here from the Dolmabahçe Palace at the end of April and spend the summer in Beylerbeyi. He also hosted numerous foreign dignitaries at the palace to showcase the splendour of the empire. In 1869, when Empress Eugénie of France (wife of Napoleon III) visited Istanbul, she was hosted at the magnificent Beylerbeyi Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus and was so impressed by what she saw that she had a copy of one of the palace's windows made for her room at the Tuileries Palace in Paris. In addition, important foreign leaders of the time, such as Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, Shah Naser al-Din of Iran, and Prince Nikola I of Montenegro, were also hosted at the palace. Beylerbeyi gained international fame by serving as a showcase for Ottoman diplomatic relations.
During the final years of the Ottoman Empire, the Beylerbeyi Palace was used for various purposes. During the 1877-78 Ottoman-Russian War (93 War), it was temporarily used to house refugees and treat wounded soldiers. In 1909, the palace underwent extensive renovations by the renowned architect Vedat Tek. after being deposed in 1909, was held under house arrest in Thessaloniki. Following the outbreak of the Balkan War in 1912, he was brought to Istanbul and spent the last six years of his life (1912-1918) in compulsory residence at the Beylerbeyi Palace, where he passed away on 10 February 1918. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the palace remained unused for a time but regained its value during the Republic of Turkey and continued to be used as a state guesthouse. In 1934, the Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, who was invited to Istanbul by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, stayed at this palace, and in 1936, during the Balkan Games Festival in Istanbul, Atatürk spent a night at the Beylerbeyi Palace.
By the 1970s, the first suspension bridge across the Bosphorus, the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge (formerly known as the Bosphorus Bridge), was constructed behind the Beylerbeyi Palace and opened to traffic in 1973. One of the bridge's pillars is located in the palace's back garden, and part of the palace grounds has been allocated to road facilities and other institutions. Although this has somewhat damaged the historical integrity of the Beylerbeyi Palace complex, the main structure and basic elements have been preserved. Following extensive restoration work carried out throughout the 1980s, the palace was opened to visitors in 1985 as a museum-palace. Since then, the Beylerbeyi Palace has served as a museum open to the public and as a historical site reflecting palace life in the late Ottoman period.
Explore by Yacht
As you glide along the Bosphorus, one structure among the elegant buildings on the Anatolian side immediately catches your eye: Beylerbeyi Palace. With its white marble facades, pavilions extending over the water, and historic gardens rising behind it, this structure appears even more majestic when viewed from the sea. The palace's direct connection to the Bosphorus can only be fully appreciated when viewed from the water. Especially on a Bosphorus tour by yacht, the palace's commanding position on the shore and its silhouette reflected in the water offer an unforgettable view.
For those who want to see Istanbul's coastline from a different and impressive angle, by renting a yacht is not just a means of transportation, but a change of perspective. While gliding through the cool waters of the Bosphorus on a yacht, you will have the opportunity to view historical buildings from the sea, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The detailed facade decorations, elegant stone carvings, and unique connection to the sea of the Beylerbeyi Palace can only be fully appreciated when viewed from the open waters. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply want to enjoy a peaceful Bosphorus cruise, this yacht trip will offer you a unique experience that brings you closer to the history of Istanbul. As you follow a route that starts from Sarayburnu and follows the curves of the Bosphorus, you will be able to see the city from a completely different perspective, accompanied by the peaceful view of Beylerbeyi.
Viewing the Beylerbeyi Palace from the sea is not just about seeing its exterior; with its doors opening onto the water, marble pier and sea pavilions, this palace tells a complete architectural story that can be read from the sea. Many subtle details that go unnoticed from the shore are revealed when viewed from the blue waters of the Bosphorus. Our recommendation for those who truly wish to understand and feel Istanbul is clear: Rent a yacht on the Bosphorus and glide past the Beylerbeyi Palace, experiencing the historical atmosphere and aesthetic power of this unique structure with all your senses. This yacht-based exploration is not just a boat tour; it will return to you as an unforgettable memory of Istanbul that will stay with you forever.