Dolmabahce Palace - Istanbul / Turkey

Dolmabahçe Palace 

Dolmabahçe Palace is located in the Beşiktaş district on the European coastline of the Bosphorus strait. It served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1922, with the exception of a 22-year period (1887-1909), in which Yıldız Palace was used.

Formerly, the Sultan and his family lived at Topkapi Palace, but it was lacking in contemporary luxury and style. Dolmabahçe Palace was ordered by the empire's 31st Sultan, Abdülmecid I, and built between 1863-1856. The construction cost the Empire a whopping five-million Ottoman mecidiye gold coins, the equivalent of 35 tons of gold.

Fourteen tons of gold leaf were used in the construction of the palace. It has an area of 65,000 m2 (11.2 acres), and contains 285 rooms, 66 halls, 6 baths (hammams), and 68 toilets.

Dlmabahce Hotels - Istanbul Hotels