The Beylerbeyi Pal Ac E

View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Istanbul Sehir University Repository THE BEYLERBEYİ PAL AC E The Beylerbeyi Palace catches the eye of even the casual observer, nestled in the blue waters rushing below the Anatolian end of the Bosphorus Bridge. by Gregory Delin The Beylerbeyi Palace ny traveler on the waters 80), but also these Asian gems of til 1864, and, as planned, it saw its of the Bosphorus cannot Beylerbeyi and Küçüksu, have been first use by the Empress Eugenie, who help but be struck by the painstakingly restored, and are being visited abne as the Sultan’s guest. A beauty of two small white put to active and public use. Many believe they were equally marble palaces lying along the Asian The Beylerbeyi Palace catches the pleased ct the arrangement, as tales shore of this fabled waterway. To eye of even the casual observer, of love between the two continue to gether with the Dolmabahpe Palace nestled in the blue waters rushing this day In the traditional harem on the opposite shore, they comprise a below the Anatolian end of the section cf the palace a special suite Nineteenth Century “collection” of Bosphorus Bridge. It can properly be was prepared for the Empress, still pleasure palaces of the Ottoman Sul described as a "labor of love”, in to be seen today. The Sultan himself tans. For too many years, these pal this case the love of an Ottoman Sul gave personal attention to the decor, aces were neglected, and allowed to tan for the Empress Eugenie, wife of not only ef the Empress’ suite, but the slowly but steadily decay, their gates Napoleon III of France. The Sultan, whole palace. Particularly impressive seemingly locked forever, withholding Abdülaziz, was the first to travel out to the 'isitor today are the special 20th Century Man the joy of even a side the empire, paying a State Visit silver bed of the Empress Eugenie, few moments experiencing the luxuri to France and England in the 1850’s. with its gauze mosquito net sewn ous world of royality of old. Today, In 1861, anticipating the return visit with theusands of individual tiny thanks to the enlightened and spirited of the French royal couple, Abdülaziz pearls. Directly off her bedroom was efforts of the Director of National ordered construction of the marble constructed a Turkish bath (hamam), Palaces, Archeologist ilhan Aksit, not palace we see today, to be completed which s» enchanted the Empress it is only the Dolmabahce Palace (see Is in time for its use as a Royal Guest said shetook with her a marble model tanbul Hilton Magazine Winter 1979/ House. Construction continued un of it as < memory of her Istanbul stay. 12 Sailing by the Berlerbeyi Palace today, it is not hard to recreate a mental picture of the splendid arrival celebration staged for the Empress. A special caique with magnificent fittings and 21 pairs of oars awaited the arrival of the Royal Yacht “ Eagle” off the palace marble pier. The Sul tan Abdulaziz mounted a ladder of the royal ship from his own royal caique, escorting the Empress to her caique accompanied by cannon sal voes of welcome. The gleaming white marble quay of the palace we see today guarded by military honor guards, was then filled with royalty Küçüksu Palace and notables cheering the arrival of the wife of Napoleon III. In a brilliant hottest of days, this room must have in addition to being used by Atatiirk trained robe, and an imperial crown been a haven for the Ottoman court. on two occasions. Included in the list on her head, the Empress entered the Directly above the Pool Salon, the are Franz Joseph of Austria, the Shah palace as fireworks displays filled the Blue Salon is by far the most “ Orien of Iran, King Edward VIII of England, gardens and skies beyond. tal” of the palace’s rooms. Stretching and the then Mrs. Simpson, later to Today’s visitor to the palace and from land to sea side, and connecting become the Duke and Duchess of its lavish gardens will certainly agree directly to the Suite of the Empress, Windsor. that Abdulaziz’s labor of love is indeed this room is highlighted by blue mar he third of the 19th Century a magnificent success. Like its quay, ble columns, a gold- leaf vaulted ceil collection of palaces is the the palace itself is of white marble ing trimmed with windows of frosted smallest, and perhaps the construction, divided by Islamic glass, and chandeliers and candelabra Tsweetest of all, situated as it tradition into the Public (Selamlik), on all four sides of Bacarrat and Pa- is on the narrow meadow called the and Private (Haremlik) sections. Lar sabahge crystal. Atop a French Boull “Sweet Waters of Asia” opposite Be- gely used as a summer, hot weather table in the room’s center stands a bek. The two fresh water streams here palace, it was fitted out with two 60 kilogram clock of solid Sterling have given their names to this tiny small, delicate sea-side pavilions, one silver. The carpets are Hereke, Tabriz palace, as the names Kugiiksu and at each end of the quay, one for the and Goblen silks. This room was used Goksu are both applied to it. The Sultan’s use, and one the women of frequently for religious ceremonies, palace was built in 1856-57 by the the harem, with the waters of the as well as receptions for visiting Sultan Abdul Mecit, and consists of Bosphorus rushing coolly by. heads of state. eight rooms, four on a floor, with a central entry hall and circular stair. Within the palace, decor is typi Behind the palace itself are a Interiors are largely French and Ital cally Baroque, with interesting East series of pavilions set around a ian, like Beylerbeyi and Dolmabah ern influences. Gilt and silk-covered marble pool 80 meters by 30 meters' ge, Baroque and heavy in gold leaf. furnishings contrast with ceilings and by 3 meters in dimension. These as Under the Republic, the palace has columns distinctly Ottoman in flavor. well were used as hot weather ret Floors in most of the 23 rooms and reats, as well as one which served seen use as a Presidential Guest House, and also as a summer resi six major salons are first covered in as the royal stables of the sultan, as dence of the President himself in the Egyptian grass matting, then covered Abdulaziz was an avid horseman and 1950’s. Until 1978 Kuguksu was al with silk and wool Hereke carpets. hunter. The palace gardens finish the lowed to fall into a sad state of decay Mother-of-pearl and ivory i-nlay are luxurious effect of the total setting, used heavily in both wall coverings lush with greenery and flowering both inside and out. Today, thanks to the effort of Archeologist Akgit, this and furniture of the public reception bushes, accented with bronze statues, rooms on the second floor, as well bamboo groves, and rare trees. little wayside pleasure palace is again as fresh and shining as it was as the private quarters of the Sultan Beylerbeyi was the last residence himself. when new, having been restored over of the deposed Sultan Abdul Hamit II, a two year period. Although not open Due to its, for palaces, modest brought here from Salonika during to the public, it can be enjoyed day size, Beylerbeyi’s major salons are the Balkan Wars. His small suite can and night from outside, bathed in sun only two in number, but each is a be seen at the back of the palace, shine by day, and floodlit by night, gem. On the lower floor is the Pool personally selected by him so as not a landmark for all travelers along the Salon, dominated at its center by a to have an outlook on the Dolmabahge Bosphorus. huge reflecting pool, surrounded by Palace, home of his successor, and (Note : Arrangements to visit the Bosphorus 16 marble columns. At the center of site of so many painful memories. He Palaces can be made by contacting the died here in 1918. the reflecting pool a dolphin-shaped Concierge Desk in the Hilton Lobby. Dolma- fountain sprays cooling waters, as Since the Republic, Beylerbeyi has bahce is open daily, except Saturday and well as filling the room with the soft Monday. Beylerbeyi and Kucuksu are at ti continued to see use as an occasional sound of falling water. Even on the mes available for visits by groups through residence of visiting heads of state, prior arrangement). 13 Kişisel Arşivlerde Istanbul Belleği Taha Toros Arşivi.

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