Beylerbeyi Palace

Translated as 'The Palace of the Lord of Lords', the Beylerbeyi Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdullaziz as a 'smaller' place to receive the leaders of other states on official visits. Such visitors included the Empress Eugénie of France and Grand Duke Nicolas of Russia. In the 1860s it was designated as the summer palace of the Ottoman Empire, and its evolution has continued, opening its doors to all visitors in the present day.While less ornate than many Turkish palaces, Western eyes will be impressed by the highly decorative design on show. Three floors in height, the palace contains more than 20 different rooms, with separate rooms for women and men.There is a lot to take in, with a lavish range of design and artistic endeavour visible on the wallpaper, furniture, carpets and curtains. Indeed, many of the decorous wooden chairs and cabinets were made by Sultan Abdulhamid II, a gifted carpenter, while he was being imprisoned here at the start of the 20th century during an attempt to seize power.Some of the other contents of this absorbing palace which you should particularly keep a look out for include the plush Egyptian reed mats on many of the floors and the sparkling crystal chandeliers. The fountain in the central salon is another feature not to be missed.As your visit draws towards a close, stroll out the back of Beylerbeyi Palace to the agreeable pool, surrounded by stables and terraces. Relax a while in the calm gardens before venturing back out into the bustling city.The palace is near the Asian end of the Bosphorus Bridge. Driving is possible, but the ferry across the straits offers a top-class vantage for photographs from the water. Restaurants are beautifully located on the waterfront, and offer a good reason to stay in this part of the city for a while.The Beylerbeyi Palace is open daily, except on Monday and Thursday, and an admission fee is charged to visitors.