Yıldız Palace

Yıldız Palace, constructed on an elevated terrain with commanding views of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara, is the last major palace built by the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul. In terms of its general layout plan, it reflects the tradition of Turkish-Islamic palace architecture, with “the palace complex (state administration and Harem) situated to the east and the Friday mosque (Yıldız Hamiye Mosque) located to the west”. Covering an area of 500,000 square meters, Yıldız Palace consists of three main sections. The first section contains the main palace, where the administrative buildings are located. The second section is the private area reserved for the Sultan and his harem. The third section comprises the outer garden (the area now known as Yıldız Park) and surrounding buildings. While this park was once reserved for the palace during the Ottoman Era, it is now open to the public. Among many pavilions and buildings originally found in this area, only the Çadır, Malta, and Chalet pavilions remain today.

The first pavilion on the Yıldız Palace grounds was built during the reign of Sultan Selim III (r. 1789-1807). Although subsequent sultans showed interest in the surrounding groves and gardens, Yıldız Palace became closely associated with Sultan Abdulhamid II (r. 1876-1909). The sultan named the complex “Yıldız Sarây-ı Hümâyûnu” (The Royal/Imperial Yıldız Palace) and designated it as his primary residence, ruling the country from this palace for 33 years. Extending over a vast area between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, Yıldız Palace is a complex of buildings with gardens, pools, trees, greenhouses, and pavilions, distinguishing it from other palaces in Istanbul. In addition to establishing a theatre, library, pharmacy, zoo, animal hospital, and workshops like carpentry and foundry, Sultan Abdulhamid II also had industrial structures, such as the porcelain factory, built in Yıldız. He further stationed the well-known Second Division of the First Army (Orhaniye and Ertuğrul barracks) near the palace. During this period, it is estimated that the palace population, including those directly and indirectly in its service, to have reached as many as 12.000 people. Yıldız Palace stands in history as the final administrative center of the Ottoman Empire and the last residence of the sultan.

• Museum Card is valid in the palaces, kiosks, pavillions,museums, historical factories affiliated to the Presidency of National Palaces with the exceptions below:
  • Museum Card is not valid in Topkapı Palace Harem and Hagia Irene sections, Dolmabahçe Selamlık section, Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum, Küçüksu Pavillion Picnic area.
• Combined tickets;
  • Topkapı Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 day from the date of purchase.
  • Dolmabahçe Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 month from the date of purchase. This period is valid for use in different places. The same place can be visited once only in that month.
• Palaces, Kiosks, Pavillions, Museums and Historical Factories are free for domestic- foreign visitors aged 0-6.
• Discounted ticket service is offered for the students between the ages of 07-25 who present their student ID card.
  • Topkapı Palace is free for TR and TRNC citizens under the age of 18. Discounted ticket service is offered at Topkapı Palace for TR and TRNC citizens between 18-25 years. (25 Included)
  • Foreign students pay twice the price of the discounted ticket.
  • Foreign students aged 12-25 are requested to present their International Student Identity Card (ISIC: International Student Identity Card) concretely.
• National Palaces Glass and Crystal Museum is free for domestic-foreign visitors under the age of 12.
• Thematic Tours are held with 3 or more full fare ticket.