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Exploring the architectural grandeur of Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahçe PalaceArchitecture
- Dolmabahce Palace
- History
- Architecture
- Inside
- Dolmabahce Mosque
- Dolmabahce Palace Harem
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Contents
Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul is the largest palace in Turkey and is known for its flamboyant and elegant architecture. This opulent palace is an eclectic mix of ornate baroque and rococo style with Ottoman style. Read on to find out more about the architecture of this lavishly decorated regal palace.
Dolmabahce Palace architecture & design
The Baroque and Rococo style embellishments on the outside façade of Dolmabahce Palace highlight the European influence on the Ottoman Empire. The interiors reflect the traditional Turkish nature of the palace. The south side of the palace, known as Mabeyn-i-Humayun, consists of the male living quarters and administrative offices. The north side or the Harem-i-Humayun housed the women of the royal family. Between the two sections is a massive Ceremony Hall also known as Muaide Salon.
The palace was lavishly decorated with French baccarat glass, Bohemian crystal staircase railings, gold, carpets from Hereke made of a blend of silk, cotton, and wool, vaulted glass ceilings, Marmara marble, and the iconic crystal chandelier that was ordered from England.
Domabahche Palace is iconic as it heralded the Westernization of the Ottoman Empire. It is an elegant blend of Ottoman and Western architecture, creating a beautiful fusion that reflects its unique identity as a palace straddling the East and the West.
Who designed Dolmabahce Palace?
Garabet Amira Baliyan
Garabet Amira Baliyan was the Court architect who worked during the reign of Sultan Abdelmecid. His most famous work is the Dolmabahce Palace. Other notable works that he contributed to include the Grand Mecidiye Mosque in Ortaköy and the Yildiz Palace.
Nigogos Baliyan
Nigogos Baliyan worked with his father on Dolmabahce Palace. He primarily designed the Dolmabahce clock tower and the mosque. His other works include the Ihlamur Pavilion, the Küçük Mecidiye Mosque, and the Armenian Hospital.
William James Smith
William James Smith was An English architect who came to the Ottoman Empire primarily to redesign the British embassy. He designed the glass kiosk at Dolmabahce Palace. His other notable works include the Tophane Imperial Kiosk and the Naum Theatre.
Structure of Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahche Palace is a single palatial structure whose exteriors are made of stone and interiors of brick. It is an elegant blend of European and Ottoman architecture. The palace’s interiors were traditionally Ottoman in design. It consisted of the Mabeyn-i-Humayun or male living quarters on the Southern side, which also acted as the administrative offices of the Ottoman Empire. The Harem-i-Humayun on the northern side was not just the women’s quarters but also included the Sultan’s private residence. This royal residential section has 8 adjoining apartments. These two areas were separated by a 2,000-square-meter Ceremony Hall or Muaide Salon.
The Exterior & Interior of Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace Exterior
The stone façade of the mono-block Dolmabahce Palace is an amalgamation of Baroque and Rococo styles. It is embellished with a number of ornate Doric and Ionic pillars. The palace gardens are similar to other baroque gardens and are geometrically shaped, with statues and waterbodies artfully placed to create scenic beauty.
About Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace Interior
Dolmabahce Place has quintessentially Ottoman-styled interiors lavishly decorated with crystals and gold. The Mabeyn-i-Humayun, with the administrative section and men's living space, is on the southern side. On the north is the residential area that also housed the women’s quarters (Harem-i-Humayun). The elegant Ceremony Hall connecting these two sections is illuminated by the iconic Victorian crystal chandelier.
Inside Dolmabahce PalaceWhat to see at Dolmabahce Palace
The Crystal Staircase
This is the main staircase leading to the upper floors of the palace from the Ceremony Hall. It is an ornate baroque-style double horseshoe-shaped staircase made from crystal spindles below the mahogany and lead railings. The glass-vaulted ceiling makes it sparkle during the day and it is illuminated by the world’s largest crystal chandelier. This chandelier has 750 lamps and weighs 4.5 tonnes. It took 2 months to install this chandelier that was made in England.
Ceremony Hall or Muaide Salon
This is the most impressive room in the palace. It is supported by 56 Greek pillars and ornate gold decorations. The 36-metre-high domed ceiling has a magnificent 4.5-ton Bohemian crystal chandelier. The Sultan received important guests in this room and many major diplomatic events were conducted. This room was also used for the coronation of Sultan Murad V and was also known as the Throne Room. This 2000 square meter elegantly furnished sea-facing hall displays the largest Hereke rug in the world.
Mabeyn-i-Humayun
Known as the administrative section of the palace, this section is also known as the Selamlik or the exclusive men’s living quarters. It is made up of 4 major halls has 4 fireplaces and is decorated with crystal pieces that reflect different lights and colours at various times. The Tiled Hall or the Clerk’s room also houses the ‘Surre Alayi’ a painting by Stefano Ussi. Decorated with Hereke rugs, crystal, and gold, this elegantly furnished room has breathtaking views of the sea.
Harem-i-Humayun
This was where the Sultan’s mother, his wife, family, and his concubines lived. Though not a separate structure, the Harem was secluded. Decorated with Baccarat crystal chandeliers, rugs from Yildiz palace, intricate gold inlaid upholstery, and lavish furnishings, these apartments are fashioned in the neo-baroque style. Each of them are intrinsically Turkish by design and have their own hamams, which are carved from Egyptian alabaster. The Pink Hall, the Blue Hall, and Ataturk’s room are the most noteworthy rooms.
Dolmabahce Palace harem
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Frequently asked questions about Dolmabahce Palace architecture
What is the Dolmabahce Palace’s architectural style?
Dolmabahce Palace is a blend of Ottoman, Baroque, Rococo, and neoclassical architectural styles.
Who designed the Dolmabahce Palace?
Garabet Balyan and Nigoayos Balyan, the Ottoman court architects, and William James Smith, a popular 19th-century English architect who did a lot of work in Turkey, were the architects of Dolmabahce Palace.
Why is the Dolmabahce Palace’s architecture famous?
Located on the European coast of the Bosphorus Strait, Dolmabahce Palace’s architecture is famous because it blends the ornate European Rococo and Baroque styles with the Ottoman architectural style. With its lavish interiors and intricate designs, it symbolizes the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire and the influences that shaped it.
What was Dolmabahce Palace inspired by?
Dolmabahce Palace’s architecture was inspired by European architectural styles of Baroque and Rococo that are quite ornamental with intricate and opulent decorations.
When was the Dolmabahce Palace built?
The construction of Dolmabahce Palace was completed by 1856.
How long did it take to construct the Dolmabahce Palace?
The construction of Dolmabahce Palace began in 1843 and took 13 years to complete.
What are the dimensions of the Dolmabahce Palace?
Dolmabahce Palace is built on an area of 11.1 acres. The Harem section covers two-thirds of the palace and the Ceremony Hall covers 2,000 sq.m with a 36-metre-high domed ceiling that has a width of 25 metres.
What are the main architectural elements of the Dolmabahce Palace?
Dolmabahce Palace is embellished with ornate cornices, Ionic columns, numerous windows, and arches. Its interiors are decorated with the most luxurious items from Turkey, Europe, and even the Far East. The Bohemian crystal chandelier and the Hereke silk and wool carpets are among its iconic features.
What’s inside Dolmabahce Palace?
Dolmabahce Palace has 285 rooms, 44 halls, 6 hamams (Turkish baths), and 68 toilets. This vast palace has a huge hall that separates the public section from the private section that used to house the women and children of the Turkish royal family.
What lies outside Dolmabahce Palace?
Dolmabahce Palace is surrounded by ornate geometrically designed gardens. These are more European and Baroque in design than Ottoman, as they also have sculptures, statues, and fountains. There is also the Dolmabache clock tower outside the palace.
