Ciragan Palace (Çırağan Sarayı), located in Besiktas, one of the most beautiful districts of Istanbul; It is one of the most beautiful palaces in our history, where the sultans lived in the past, which fascinated everyone with its magnificent structure.
Ciragan; It is the name given to night entertainment in the Ottoman Empire’s Tulip Period (1718-1730) in the light of candles and oil lamps. Since these entertainments were made in the place where the palace is located, the palace was called “Ciragan Palace”.
The Cigaran Palace was built between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy by the grand vizier of the Tulip Age, Damat İbrahim Pasha, and his wife, Fatima Sultan. During the reign of Sultan First Mahmut (1730-1754) and Third Selim (1789-1807), the palace was repaired and rebuilt by Sultan Abdülmecid (1859).
However, the reconstruction of the palace took place during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz Han. Nikogos Balyan made the plans of Ciragan Palace, which is a further example of the plan used in Dolmabahçe Palace. Construction lasted 4 years from 1861 to 1865. This 750 meter long palace by the sea is made of white marble.
When Sultan V Murad Han was deposed from the throne in 1876, Ciragan Palace was given to him and his family as a residence upon his desire. He died here in 1904.
Ciragan Palace (Çırağan Sarayı), which was transferred to Istanbul Municipality with a law enacted in 1946, was planned to be repaired on various dates, but no result was reached. In February 1986, it was rented out to foreign investors by a contract by the Turkish government for 49 years. The palace rented with the build, operate, transfer model; It was put into operation as a five star hotel.
In 1986, the first steps are taken to transform Ciragan Palace into a 5-star hotel. “Ciragan Palace Kempinski”, which was completed in 1990, welcomes its guests as a hotel in Istanbul today by the Kempinski hotel chain. It is designed next to the old palace in accordance with its architecture and takes the first place as the most luxurious and only 5-star decent hotel of Istanbul at that time.
After 2 years of restoration work, the old palace section is also opened. Thus, a real palace is reborn from its ashes. If you are coming to Istanbul for the first time, do not go without seeing Ciragan Palace, which has become the symbol of Istanbul. In this palace, where the most beautiful weddings, many conferences and organizations are held and which has witnessed the history, you can enjoy a nice coffee by watching Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus.
