Everything you need to know about Dolmabahce Palace harem

Official name: Dolmabahçe Palace Harem

Address: Dolmabahce Palace, Vişnezade Mahallesi, Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey

Date of opening: 7 June 1856

Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 AM – 4 PM

Architect: Garabet Baliyan, Nigogoyas Baliyan, and William James Smith

Architectural style: Ottoman, Baroque and Rococo 

Number of visitors per year: 1.5 million visitors annually

• Historical significance: As the private living quarters of the Sultan and his family, which included the Queen Mother, his wives, children, and concubines, the Dolmabahce Palace harem was the unofficial centre of power of the Ottoman Empire. Kemal Mustafa Ataturk, the first President of Turkey, also had a room here and died here after a period of illness.  
• Elegant architecture: Like the rest of Dolmabahce Palace, the harem too was designed with an eclectic blend of Rococo, Baroque, and Ottoman architectural styles, making it a striking example of architecture. With elegant and ornate interiors and decor, every room has a regal aura that epitomizes the rich opulence of the Sultans’ lifestyles.
• Lavish decorations: The lavish decorations made of gold, crystal, and Baccarat glass accentuate the harem's elegant architecture. Hereke rugs made of a blend of silk, cotton, and wool lend an air of royalty with their bright colours and ornate designs. Sparkling crystal chandeliers grace the rooms while the ceilings have intricate gold decorations. 
• Beautiful views: The harem provides beautiful views of the Bosphorus Strait on one side and the palace gardens on the other. There is also a bird garden in the palace garden with exotic birds, beautiful statues, and water bodies, which can be seen from the harem. With the sea on one side and exotic gardens on the other, this opulent palace is quite beautiful.

The architecture of Dolmabahce Palace harem, like the rest of the palace, is a mixture of the ornate Baroque and Rococo styles blended with the Ottoman style in such a way that it created a style of its own. The harem features intricate pillars, hallways, and apartments that were lavishly decorated with gold, crystal, and glass sourced from all over Europe and Asia. 

Unlike other traditional Ottoman palaces, the Dolmabahce Palace has the harem section integrated with the main building, making it the only one to do so. Extensively decorated with gold and crystal, the harem is the personification of royal opulence.