While the region where Yildiz Palace (Yıldız Sarayı) is located was used as a hunting ground, it was later converted into a settled order by building pavilions. Yildiz Palace (Yıldız Sarayı) was built on behalf of Mihrişah Sultan who was III. Selim’s mother and its construction is completed in 1807. Yıldız Palace gains importance years after its construction.
Despite the possibility of Dolmabahçe Palace siege from the sea, II. Abdulhamit moved to Yildiz Palace and ruled the empire for 33 years. The building, which also served as the War Academies building for a period, opened to the public after 1994.
Yildiz Palace, in addition to being the administrative center of the state during the reign of Abdulhamid II, it has also become a cultural and craft center with many building and manufacturing facilities added over the years.
On the other hand, a tile factory was established in the palace, where tiles and porcelain goods, one of the areas the sultan is interested in, have been established, and the palace has become a production center where traditional culture is kept alive.
The sultan, who sent gifts from the tiles and porcelain produced here to the rulers of the countries he made friendship, also had a special interest in the carpentry craft, built a private carpentry in the palace, and carried out valuable works especially on carving here.
After the 31 March Incident, the sultan was thrown from the throne and sent to Thessaloniki, after he returned to Istanbul in 1912, he was never found in Yildiz Palace and spent the rest of his life in Beylerbeyi Palace.
Yildiz Palace (Yıldız Sarayı) is considered as one of the rare places where both natural and historical beauties melted in a pot, with the best reflection of the palace life in the last period of the Ottoman Empire, the forest air and the unique Bosphorus view.
You can come to Beşiktaş by ferry from the Anatolian side to go to Yildıiz Palace, located in Serencebey Slope, which is located in Barbaros Boulevard in Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, and you can reach the palace by bus or on foot.
On the other hand, visitors coming by metrobus can get off at Zincirlikuyu Station and get on any bus that moves towards Beşiktaş and get off at YTÜ Station. You can reach Yildiz Palace from YTÜ Stop within a few minutes on foot.
Entrance Fee: 20 TL
Visiting Hours: 09:00-16:30
- Monday is closed.
