During the mid-19th century, the Ottoman Empire was significantly influenced by Western culture. The Ottoman sultans were fascinated by all things Western, and this interest led to the construction of a grand palace on the shores of the Bosphorus. The construction of Dolmabahce Palace marked the shift from traditional Islamic architecture to a more European style.
Unlike Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace was constructed as a series of smaller buildings. Islamic tradition dictated that palaces should have two sections, one for the public and one for the private life of the sultan. The palace consists of a large main building with two wings, the Harem and the Selamlik (the men’s quarter in a palace), along with a pair of smaller mansions and a vast garden.
The appellation of the palace was determined based on its geographic location. The former location of the palace was a bay, which was frequently used as a departure point for sailors embarking on expeditions. In 1614, Ahmet I began filling the sea by transporting soil from the hill where Inonu Stadium now stands. The purpose of this endeavour was to create a park and javelin field for Besiktas Palace, a complex of buildings similar to Topkapi Palace. Sultan II. Osman continued the sea-filling process to further this aim. It is also worth noting that the literal meaning of the palace in Turkish is "filled garden". This brief account sheds light on the origin of the palace's name.