Located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, Yildiz Hill attracts attention with its elegant palace structures from the last period of the Ottoman Empire. Yildiz Palace is one of the important examples of Ottoman palace architecture with its structures built in various architectural styles.
Yildiz Palace, built on a large area on the hills overlooking the Bosphorus, consists of pavilions and gardens within courtyards surrounded by high walls. This second-largest palace in Istanbul has been used for various purposes over time and today houses many institutions. During the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, the palace was used both as an official residence and a harem.
Inside the palace are pavilions, pools, greenhouses, aviaries, workshops, and service buildings. The palace gardens are known as Yildiz Park, which is largely open to the public, and include the Sale Pavilion. The Sale Pavilion is a museum with beautiful gardens, exterior architecture resembling Alpine hunting lodges, and rich interior decoration.
The main entrance to Yildiz Palace is accessed from the upper parts of Besiktas. The Muayede Pavilion on the left is currently being restored as a museum. Also on the left is the Cit Pavilion where the Sultan hosted his guests and the entrance to the harem, and opposite are the offices of the officers on duty. On the right is the section that used to be the staff dining hall, currently used for exhibitions and concerts. The Yildiz Palace Museum and the Istanbul Municipality City Museum are also in this area. The Palace Museum exhibits wooden works, thrones, porcelains, and other decorative objects. The City Museum contains rare works such as glass, porcelain, silver works, Istanbul paintings, and a 16th-century oil lamp.
After exploring the exquisite details of the Yildiz Palace, taking a look at the Yildiz Mosque right next to it will help us better understand the historical and cultural integrity of this region. The Yildiz Mosque is a lovely building located right next to the palace. It was built in the 1880s on the orders of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The Neo-Renaissance-style mosque stands out with its elegant minaret and detailed interior decorations. The mosque was used as a place of worship for palace staff and guests. It is open to visitors today and stands out as a beautiful example of Ottoman architecture.
