Yıldız Palace History and Opening to Visitors
President of National Palaces Dr. Yasin Yıldız, emphasizing the importance of Yıldız Palace in terms of historical and cultural heritage, said, “Yıldız Palace, one of the five palaces that have survived from the Ottoman Empire in our country, will host local and foreign visitors in a few days. “This opening will be an important milestone for Turkey and the world.”
Stating that the palace has been closed for about 100 years, Yıldız said, “Yıldız Palace has been used for different purposes by different state institutions throughout its history and restoration work has been insufficient. However, with the arrangement made under the leadership of the Presidency In 2015, it was taken under the supervision of the Presidency of National Palaces and restoration work has begun.”
Stating that most of the restoration work has been completed, Yıldız said regarding the fee for visitors, “When the palace first opens, it will be free for a certain period of time. Later, details regarding the entrance fee will be clarified. However, “we will always provide convenience to our citizens with the museum card.”
Details About the Yıldız Palace Visit
Yıldız Palace, which will be opened with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 19, will be opened to visitors as of July 20. In the palace where restoration work has been completed, structures such as the “Great Mabeyn Kiosk”, ” Çit Kasrı”, “Small Mabeyn Kiosk” and “Harem Chamber” will be opened to visitors for the first time.
Additionally, structures such as the “Lemonluk”, “Hamam”, “III. Selim Fountain”, “Ada Kiosk” and “Cihannuma Kiosk” will be opened to visitors. Rare works from the Ottoman period will be exhibited in areas such as the library and carpentry shop in Yıldız Palace.
Historical Importance of Yıldız Palace
The Yıldız Palace complex is of great importance as it is the last palace of the Ottoman Empire. The palace, which was shaped during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, was used as the administrative center of the state and the residence of the sultan for 33 years. However, the palace lost its importance when Sultan Abdulhamid II was dethroned.
Yıldız Palace, which was allocated to the General Staff School in 1924, was transferred to the Presidency of National Palaces in 2015 and entered the restoration process. The palace complex, located on Yıldız Hill in Beşiktaş, will be open to visitors 6 days a week.
