Dolmabahce Palace Facts

Sultan Abdülmecid I commissioned the Dolmabahce Palace for his personal use as he felt that his previous residence was not modern or luxurious enough. He wished to have a palace that embodied the modern luxuries that European palaces of the time had. He wanted a grand and opulent palace and was quite fussy about the design and construction of the palace. The gilded ceilings and gold accents were made with over 14 tons of gold leaves. Quite a lot of gold and crystals were used to build this opulent palace which almost rendered the Sultan bankrupt.

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It took 13 years to build this large and ornamentally opulent Palace. The Dolmabahce Palace was built on the place where the Besiktas Coastal Palace was. The Sultan felt that the old palace did not serve its purpose anymore hence he had it torn down. Plans for building the Dolmabahce Palace began and the construction process started on 13th June 1843. The main designers and architects of the Palace were the father-son duo - Garabet and Nigoğayos Balyan. Hacı Said Ağa took care of the construction part of the Palace. The Palace was finally up for use on 7th June 1856.

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Another one of Dolmabahce Palace's facts is that the construction of the Palace was a costly affair that nearly drove the Ottoman Empire bankrupt. The cost of construction was 5 million Ottoman lira which amounts to 35 tonnes of gold which accounts for about one-fourth of tax collected annually. It is to be noted that all this was built using funding through foreign loans, debasement and massive paper money printing. The foreign loans contributed largely to the financially failing Ottoman Empire. This led to the Empire defaulting on its public debt in 1875.

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One of the biggest Dolmabahce Palace facts is that it is the largest palace in all of Turkey and most likely one of the most opulent. The total area of the Palace is spread across 45,000 square metres and flanked by opulent gardens. There are a total of 285 rooms in the Palace along with 65 toilets, 6 baths or hammams and 46 elaborately designed halls. The entire structure is divided into 16 sections and each of these sections has buildings that are designated with specific functions. There are the palace stables, mills, kitchens, aviaries, pharmacy, foundry, the glass shop and the patisserie. 

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Dolmabahce Palace was a cornerstone of the Ottoman administration. It served as the residence and administrative centre for six Ottoman sultans until the abolition of the caliphate. Its halls witnessed the deliberations and decrees that shaped the empire's destiny. Notably, Sultan Abdülmecid Efendi, the last royal resident of Dolmabahce, resided here until his deposition in 1876. The palace's opulent chambers hosted state affairs, diplomatic receptions, and ceremonial functions, reflecting the empire's power and prestige. With its strategic location on the Bosphorus, Dolmabahce Palace stood as a symbol of Ottoman authority, blending Eastern heritage with Western sophistication in its architectural splendour.

One of the most opulent Dolmabahce Palace facts is that the Palace boasts the world's largest collection of crystal chandeliers. The largest of these being the Bohemian Chandelier which is in the Ceremonial Hall. These exquisite chandeliers have been sourced from renowned European manufacturers and they adorn the Palace's grand halls and salons. Each chandelier is a testament to the palace's unparalleled luxury and the Ottoman Empire's pursuit of elegance and sophistication. Visitors marvel at the sheer beauty and grandeur of these sparkling treasures, adding to the palace's status as a cultural gem of Istanbul.

The construction of the Dolmabahce Palace is the Ottoman Empire's attempt to conceal its decline during the 19th century. It was commissioned during a time of high political and economic challenges. Its opulence aimed to project power and prestige, both domestically and internationally. The extravagant construction and lavish interiors were strategic displays of wealth and authority, masking underlying difficulties. Despite its grandeur, Dolmabahce couldn't halt the Ottoman Empire's decline, serving instead as a symbol of the struggle to maintain relevance in a changing world. Its history reflects the Empire's efforts to preserve its image amidst the pressures of modernization and geopolitical shifts.

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The Ceremonial Hall of the Dolmabahce Palace is home to the world’s largest Bohemian Chandelier. This exquisite piece of art was thought to be a gift from Queen Victoria of England. However, in 2006 a receipt was discovered which shows that the price of the chandelier was paid in full. This amazing chandelier weighs a majestic 4.5 tons and it is made up of 10,000 crystals and 750 lamps to illuminate its magnificence. It is 26 feet in diameter and 36 feet in height and it had to be assembled in the Palace itself, making it the world’s largest crystal chandelier. 

The 1920s brought about the end of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey was born. Its founder and the first President of Turkey turned this opulent Palace into a presidential residence in 1924 and proclaimed it as a national heritage. The first President of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk used the Palace as a summer retreat whenever he was in Istanbul. He also lived his last days here till his death on 10 November 1938. An interesting Dolmabahce Palace fact is that all the clocks in the Palace were stopped at 9:05 am the time of his death.