Beylerbeyi Sarayi (Beylerbeyi Palace)

Beylerbeyi Sarayi (Beylerbeyi Palace) Review

Built as a summer residence for Sultan Abdülaziz in 1865, Beylerbeyi, on the Asian shore, is a bit like a mini-Dolmabahçe that incorporates a similarly eclectic mix of European and Turkish styles but is smaller, less grandiose, and has more of a personal feel. Beylerbeyi boasts ornately painted ceilings, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, gold-topped marble columns, and intricately carved wooden furniture; the central hall has a white-marble fountain and a stairway wide enough for a regiment. The magnolia-shaded palace grounds are also pleasant, while two waterfront bathing pavilions (one was for men, the other for women) stand out for their bizarrely fanciful architecture. You must join a tour to see the palace.