Yildiz Palace History and Information

Yildiz Palace and Park Entrance Fee & Opening Hours

The History of the Ottoman Places in Istanbul

Ottoman Empire built its first palace in today’s Beyazit district after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (Mehmed II) lived in this palace temporarily and the construction of Topkapi Palace began in 1461.

Topkapi Palace was originally planned to be a military quarters where the sultan would attend to state affairs, train for wars and exercise as well as hosting foreign ambassadors. Moreover, the Enderun School, which is known as the highest educational institute in the state, was inside the palace too. Topkapi Palace served this function for a long period after Sultan Mehmed II’s death.

However, under Suleiman the Magnificent’s reign, Harem Rooms moved from the Old Palace in Beyazit to Topkapi Palace (New Palace) due to Hurrem Sultan’s influence. 25 sultans of the Ottoman Empire lived in Topkapi Palace that is in the heart of Sultanahmet area.

Traditional Topkapi Palace is located in Sultanahmet

The History of the Ottoman Places in Istanbul

The Sultanate’s Separation from Topkapi Palace

When Sultan Mahmud II was a little kid, he had a close brush with death at Topkapi Palace and he was saved just in time by a woman named Cevri Kalfa, one of the attendants in charge at Harem, from the rebellious janissaries’ (ottoman soldiers) hand. Therefore, Sultan Mahmud II wanted to stay away from those bad memories and became one of the first sultans who chose not to reside at Topkapi Palace. He resided at a coastal place in Besiktas that doesn’t survive today.

Sultan Abdulmecid era witnessed a tremendous architectural movement. Balyan Family, the architects of the palace, built mosques, palaces, towers, and mansions during this period.

Topkapi Palace became inadequate to the requirements of the state. Therefore, Sultan Abdulmecid commanded the construction of Dolmabahce Palace and lived there.

Even though the sultans resided there in Ottoman Empire’s last years, Sultan Abdulhamid II (who lived in Yildiz Palace) is an exception.

Yildiz Palace Interior Decoration

Yildiz Palace Shale Pavillion

History of Yildiz Palace

The first pavillion in Yildiz Palace was built for Sultan Selim III’s mother Mihrisah Sultan. It’s also in the official records that sports such as archery and riding horse were practiced in its garden during Sultan Mahmud II era.

The additions to Yildiz Palace by sultans like Sultan Abdulmecid and Sultan Abdulaziz resulted in a bigger palace. However, the only sultan who resided at Yildiz Palace fulltime and put it in its final shape was Sultan Abdulhamid II.

Abdulhamid II came to the throne and remained as the Sultan for 33 years. The Ottoman Empire was in decline and he thought Dolmabahce Palace would be defenseless in the event of a riot. Therefore, he preferred to live at Yildiz Palace.

Shale Pavillion and Malta Pavillion are the two pavillions that attract the biggest interest from visitors. The theatre of the palace and Sultan Abdulhamid II’s workshop are among other additional buildings. Yildiz Porcelain Factory inside Yildiz Palace still carries on its activities.

Yildiz Palace and Park Entrance Fee & Opening Hours

Pavillions of Yildiz Palace at Besiktas, Istanbul

Things to See at Yildiz Palace

Yildiz Palace occupies an area of 500,000 square meters and it’s composed of pavillions, museums, palaces, park, and gardens. Apart from the pavillions inside Yildiz Palace, you can also visit:

Yildiz Palace Museum
Performing Arts Museum
Istanbul Metropolitan City Museum
Yildiz Palace Theater

Şale Pavillion (Shale)

Sale Kiosk (Shale) is one of the pavillions in Yildiz Palace. The word Sale derives from the French word ‘chalet’ which means also “chalet” as in English.

Sale Pavillion is one of the most striking buildings in Yildiz Palace as it’s one of the finest examples of the 19^th-century Ottoman architecture. The kiosk is located in a garden surrounded by high walls. Sale Pavillion served as a guest house for foreign statesmen.

Sale Pavillion is worth visiting due to its gold bronze panels, inlaid pearl doors brought from Ciragan Palace and the furniture some of which Sultan Abdulhamit II made himself (he is also a skilled carpenter).

Great and Small Pavillions

Great Kiosk was built by Sultan Abdulaziz and served as the administrative headquarters of the state. The building of Great Kiosk boasts a majestic architecture and it was also used for balls during the early years of Turkish Republic.

Small Kiosk, on the other hand, was built by Sultan Abdulhamid II as a resting place.

Malta Pavillion

Malta Pavillion stands out as one of the most elegant kiosks in Yildiz Park. You should note that it’s forbidden to take photos in most of the places inside Yildiz Palace complex and it’s forbidden to take photos inside Sale Pavillion as in Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace.

However, as Malta Pavillion serves as a small café today, it’s one of the important spot to take photos in Istanbul.

Malta Pavillion serves as a café with the view of Bosphorus

Malta Pavillion – Yildiz Palace and Park Entrance Fee

Yildiz Palace Theater and the Workshop

You can visit the Theater of the palace and Sultan Abdulhamit II’s workshop at Yildiz Palace Museum.

Yildiz Palace Theater and Opera House was built for Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit in 1889 and it housed a lot of important shows in the past.

Yildiz Park is adjacent to Yildiz Palace Complex

Yildiz Park offers great photo opportunities in Istanbul

Yildiz Palace Entrance Fee 2019

Yildiz Palace admission fee is 20 Turkish Liras for adults. There is a further discount only for local students. Istanbul Museum Pass is valid in this palace.

Also, the entrance fee of Yildiz Tile and Porcelain Factory is 20 Turkish Liras for adults and 5 Turkish Liras for students.

Yildiz Palace Opening Hours 2019

Yildiz Palace visiting hours changes according to the tourism season. It’s open until evening in the summer.

Summer Season Visiting Hours

April 5 – October 2

09:00 – 19:00

Winter Season Visiting Hours

October 3 – April 14

09:00 – 17:00

Yildiz Palace is closed on Monday and Thursday.

Where is Yildiz Palace and How to Get There?

In order to reach Yildiz Palace, you can take the buses from Besiktas to Yildiz direction. You can take 25T, 28O, 30A, 43R, 103, 110 or 112 that passes by Besiktas Barbaros Boulevard.

If you prefer Metrobus, you can get off at Zincirlikuyu station and take on of the buses to Besiktas direction and get off at Barbaros Boulevard.

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