Yildiz Palace

The palace of Yildiz is set in a pleasant grove overlooking the Bosphorus. It was named after the Yildiz Kösk of Mahmut II (1808-1839). A number of lodges and pavilions were built in the groves in the 19 century, creating an extensive imperial complex. This is the fourth imperial seat, after the Old Palace, Topkapi and Dolmabahçe. Abdulhamit (1876-1909) chose this as his official residence, and added the Sale pavilion, the Malta pavilion and Çadir pavilion. The complex also includes an important library, porcelain factory and such additional buildings as a furniture workshop. The palace was used during the early republic for various purposes, falling gradually to ruin. In recent years the palace buildings have been restored and put to contemporary use, such as an exhibition hall, museum and café. One of the most interesting buildings in the complex is the Sale Pavilion. The architect is D'Aronco. The pavilion is also known as the Ceremonial Pavilion. Basically two buildings, they were both built for the visits in 1889 and 1898 of Kaiser Wilhem II Sale Kösk is now used for state protocol. It is a half-timber building three storeys high, and is named phonetically after the chalets of Switzerland and France, which it resembles in outward appearance. Delicately curved timber staircases link the lower and upper storeys, on which there are approximately fifty rooms. The decoration is a mixture of Baroque, Rococco and Islamic styles, as are the furnishings. The ceremonial hall-Merasim Salonu is covered by a Hereke rug 400 m2 in size. Large mirrors are hung on the walls and the ceilings are embellished with gilded panels. Other notable rooms are the Sedefli Oda, which has fine mother-of-pearl inlayed doors, and the Sari Oda - Yellow room, which is well-known for the scenic paintings on its ceiling. These rooms reflect the "fin de siecle" taste of the last Ottoman sultans. During the Republic, the Sale Pavilion was used for a time as a luxury casino, later being used for state receptions. The Shah of Iran, Riza Pehlevi, King Hüseyin of Jordan, Sukharno, President of Indonesia, Haile Selasi of Ethiopia and Charles de Gaulle, President of France, were among the notable guests received here. Since 1985 the pavilion has been open to the public as an historical building.