Yildiz Palace (Ottoman Palace Istanbul)

After paying a fee per person end car at the entrance. the first thing that strides the visitor is the sense of freshness and quiet content that seems to be distilled from the high trees. All manner of tree here rises to the sky. Greenery abounds and among the bushes little streams flow and form lakes. In the autumn a rich and varied exhibition of dahlias takes place here which we recommend the visitor not to miss if he is here at that season. To the left of the entrance end the surfaced road, in the vast garden that surrounds the palace and on all its terraces, more than 200 varieties of dahlias can be seen. Their profusion of color is so great that one ends up by feeling almost oppressed.

Originally, at the end of the 19th century, this palace was a simple villa. Legend has it that Abdul Mecit I's favourite mistress Yildiz, lived here. But the monarch who built all these villas and pavilions in this park was Abdulhamid, one of the last of the padishahs, who recalling the two dethronements that had taken place in the Dolmabahce Palace, decided to move elsewhere.

The large palace that he lived in, and the surrounding pavilions, are at the upper end of the park, behind the high walls we see as we climb up the hill. Within this space behind the walls there stands a fine wooden chalet which used to have a luxurious interior. The palace itself is now the Academy of War. Entry is on the avenue that rises from Besiktas past the mosque. In the chalet behind the palace occasional meetings are held or official guests accommodated. Two stone buildings inside the park are a fine sight to behold, and behind of the first building, there is a large and beautiful pool. We would advise the visitor to step on to the little island in the middle and to take some lovely snapshots.

One of the most beautiful panoramas in the world extends before you as you stand on the terrace in front of the kiosk. A sea of flowers and trees undulates in waves down to the real sea. This sea is the Bosphorus, but it flows like a river. Opposite rise wooded slopes. It is a corner of paradise that. unfortunately, most tourists miss. To the lone tourist no one thinks of pointing out this spot, whilst tourists in organized parties are usually shown only the important monuments.

To return to the second kiosk which we mentioned above. It is set on the slope of the park and can be reached by taking the path to the night. From the terrace by the Kiosk a further unforgettable panorama which will thrill your heart, can be viewed. As the Turkish word Yildiz mean, Star and "dahlia" and as this name is intertwined with the name of the palace, the park is always full of dahlias.

Yildiz, one of the last residences of the Ottoman sultans, was completed by Abdulhamit II at the end of the 19th century. The Sale (Chalet), the largest and most exquisite of the buildings, reveals the luxury in which the sultans lived and entertained. The chalet is formed by two separate buildings; first one built in 1889 and the second one, known as Merasim Kosku (ceremonial kiosk), in 1898 by architect Raimondo D'Aronco. The Yildiz palace is know as the fourth Ottoman palace built in Istanbul after the Conquest. Set in a very large park of flowers, tulips, plants and trees gathered from every part of the world, containing a pool and green houses, the palace grounds offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Yildiz Palace
Yildiz , Besiktas

Telephone: 90-212-2583080
(212) 276 10 22


Open daily except Mondays and Thursdays, 09:30-16:00

( October to February: 09:00-15:00 )