Dolmabahce Palace, built by Sultan Abdulmecid, symbolizes the magnificent life of the Ottoman Empire in the last period. In the Palace Kitchens (Matbah-i Amire) building, which is one of the large and beautiful structures of the palace, there is the “Palace Collections Museum” a part of this historic structure. This special museum brings together various objects that attract attention with their historical and cultural values, offering visitors a rich Ottoman heritage.
The Palace Collections Museum consists of three main sections: Art Gallery, Museum, and Depot. While these sections each represent a different function and collection area, together they offer a comprehensive view of the Ottoman period.
The art gallery section, which reflects the elegance and aesthetics of Ottoman art, exhibits various art objects used in late Ottoman palaces. Here, jewelry, paintings, manuscripts, and other works of art that represent the mastery of the Ottoman Empire in the field of art and craft are presented in detail. The gallery offers visitors a unique opportunity to understand the sense of art and aesthetics of the period.
The museum section contains items from important Ottoman structures such as Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, Topkapi, and Yildiz palaces. In addition, objects from Aynalikavak, Kucuksu, Ihlamur, and Maslak pavilions are also exhibited here. Each piece reflects the daily life, social status, and cultural characteristics of Ottoman palaces, revealing the richness and diversity of the period. Yildiz Porcelain and Hereke Carpet and Weaving Factories products are also important pieces of the museum. These products provide information about the production techniques and sense of aesthetics of the Ottoman period.
The depot section of the museum contains valuable works that are not exhibited but need to be preserved. Many objects used in the 19th-century palaces and pavilions of the National Palaces, numbering in the tens of thousands, cannot be exhibited in today's furnishing order. Work is carried out here to protect the objects that make up the museum's collection. The depot plays an important role in the preparation and research stages for the museum's future exhibitions.
The exhibitions of the Palace Collections Museum are organized in a meticulous composition by separating them according to their themes. Each section offers visitors a detailed historical perspective with an arrangement that emphasizes a specific topic or period. This provides visitors with a comprehensive experience to better understand and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire.
The Palace Collections Museum is an important center for those who want to go into the depths of Ottoman history and art and successfully continues its mission to preserve and promote this historical heritage.