摘要: Description　　Located on top of a steep hill overlooking the Bosphorus, the Yıldız Palace (meaning the Star Palace) was the seat of Ottoman government and the residence of Sultan Abdülhamid II for 33 y

Description

　　Located on top of a steep hill overlooking the Bosphorus, the Yıldız Palace (meaning the Star Palace) was the seat of Ottoman government and the residence of Sultan Abdülhamid II for 33 years (1876-1909). The property is a vast complex of pavilions and gardens surrounding the courtyards and designed in different styles.

　　The area of the palace complex was originally made of natural woodlands and used for hunting by sultans since the early sixteenth century. The first pavilion in this area was built during the reign of Sultan Selim III (r. 1789-1808), who built a kiosk with a rococo a fountain for his for his mother Sultan Mihrishah. At mid-century, these structures, except the fountain, were demolished. During the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (r. 1861-1876), new pavilions and summer palaces such as Malta Kiosk, Çadır Kiosk and Çit Pavilion were built by the architects of Balyan family. When Sultan Abdülhamid (r.1876-1909) ascended the throne, he transferred the court from the Dolmabahçe Palace to the Yıldız Palace which remained the seat of government throughout his reign. He enlarged the area and ordered the landscaping of the property, requesting rare flowers, trees and plants from different parts of the empire and beyond. He also ordered the renowned Italian architect Raimondo D’Aronco to erect new buildings to the palace complex. During this period, the property became a large complex situated in 500.000 square-meter area comprising several governmental, residential, industrial and cultural buildings including numerous pavilions, kiosks, theater, museum, library, repair shops and  carpenter’s shop, imperial porcelain factory and military barracks. During this period, the palace complex housed more than 12,000 people including workers in the factories and workshops, according to some accounts.

　　The palace complex, which is surrounded by walls, consists of three main courtyards: The first courtyard, which functioned as the administrative center, contains official apartments and service buildings, including Armory, Set  Pavilion, Yaveran Chambers, Çit  Pavilion, Carpenter's Workshop, Office of the Sultan’s Aides-de-Camp, Pharmacy and Library. The second courtyard, which was the center of private life of Sultan and his family, includes the Hasbahçe (Privy garden), Small Mabeyn Kiosk, Harem Buildings, Cihannuma Kiosk, Island Kiosk and the Theater. The third area covers the outer gardens. The Chalet Kiosk, the Malta Kiosk, the Çadır Kiosk, the Greenhouse and the Yıldız Tile Factory are located in this area. The large part of the palace gardens, what is now called the Yildiz Park and the pavilions located here are open to the public. The Yıldız Park is connected to the Çıragan Palace on the seashore with a bridge. 

　　A brief description of the major components of the palace complex is as follows:

　　The Great  Mabeyn Pavilion is one of the principal buildings of the palace complex. Commissioned by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1866 and built by the architects of Balyan Family, the two-storey building has an eclectic style at the exterior. The inner part, on the other hand, is embellished with the Turkish and Islamic style decorations. Having served as the administration headquarters of the state during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II, the kiosk was used for important receptions during the late Ottoman and early Republican periods.

　　Çit Pavillion, a single-storey building with a thin and long plan, was used to receive the visits of foreign statesman. It is located at the north end of the garden in front of the Great Mabeyn pavilion.

　　Yaveran Chamber, located at the other side of the Great Mabeyn Pavilion, was the offices of the military officers in charge. It is one of the buildings designed by architect Raymond d’Aranco.

　　Armoury is a longitudinal building with its Corinthian columns and murals in which the imperial weapon collections are displayed.

　　Small Mabeyn Pavilion was built in 1901 upon the order of Sultan Abdulhamid II for holding official meetings. The two storied building has also a garret known as Winter Garden. The kiosk is famous for its ceiling decorations, the handrails decorated with flower branches in the form of Art Nouveau style.

　　Island Kiosk is a residence designed by architect Raimondo D’Aronco with Art Nouveau style. It is known that the mansion was turned into a small zoo and the sultan used to watch the animals from there.

　　Hünkar Pavillion was built in Baghdad style with a magnificent ceiling decorations and used to the first summer pavilion of the Yıldız Palace. 

　　Cihannuma Kiosk is three-storied building designed as a residence providing a beautiful panoramic view of Bosporus. The kiosk is called as Cihannuma (scenic) due to its panoramic view.

　　Private Bath of Sultan Abdulhamid II was also built by Raimondo D’Aronco. It was designed in accordance with Turkish and Western bath systems. Different from the traditional Turkish Baths, it is heated by central heating.

　　Palace Theater was built by the Sultan Abdulhamid II for the visit of German Imperial Kaiser Wilhelm II, together with the Chalet Kiosk in 1899. It is the only palace theater that survived till today. Italian and Turkish artists as well as foreign theater groups performed in this theater.

　　The Palace Library was created by the personal efforts of Sultan Abdulhamid II, bringing together a considerable amount of valuable books. Among the library’s collection, there are the albums of 36,000 photographs, that had been taken all over the world, reflecting of Abdulhamid II’s interest in photography. After the declaration of the Republic, the library and its furnishings were donated to the University of Istanbul to provide service there.

　　Şale Kiosk is one of the most important buildings of 19th century Ottoman architecture. The kiosk consists of three adjacent sections built at different times in a garden surrounded by high walls. The first section of the kiosk was constructed in 1880. With the additional building built by architect Sarkis Balyan in 1889, the  kiosk  was  enlarged  with  rooms  and  halls.  The  third  section  known  as  Ceremonial  Kiosk  was constructed by Architect D’Aranco in 1898. The last two sections were constructed for German Emperor Wilhelm II for his visits to İstanbul. It is known that ceremonies were performed at this hall during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. Except the dining hall reflecting the Ottoman taste, European style is dominant at the furnishing of the Kiosk.

　　The Malta and Çadır Pavilions, located at the outer gardens which is open to public with the name of Yıldız Park, were built in the time of Abdülaziz as s two-storey Baroque style buildings.

　　Yıldız Tile Imperial Factory was founded by Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) at the beginning of 1890’s. It has been one of first imperial factory. Following the damage at the earthquake in 1894 and the factory was reconstructed by Architect Raimondo d’Aronco with the technology and materials imported from Sèvres and Limoges factories in France. The porcelains manufactured at the Yıldız were primarily used for decorations of palaces, kiosks and pavilions of the late Ottoman Empire.

　　The Palace Museum is a large gallery in 90 meters length where the valuable were exhibited.

　　Hamidiye (Yıldız) Mosque was commissioned by the Ottoman sultan Abdülhamid II and constructed between 1884 and 1886 by Sarkis Balyan. The mosque was built on a rectangular plan and has one minaret. The design of the building is a blend of Neo-Gothic style and Ottoman motifs

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　　Gardens: The Yıldız Palace complex has various gardens ranging from formal designed gardens to more naturalistic planting. The external gardens were surrounded by high walls during the reign of Abdülhamid II. A small artificial canal, large pools, fountains, summer houses and pavilions were set within the gardens. The inner gardens includes the Hasbahçe (royal garden) and the gardens of the Harem buildings. Sultan Abdülhamid displayed great interest in the garden of Hasbahçe and spent a great deal of money on the landscaping. The garden was designed in the form of romantic-picturesque style. Several exotic plants, flowers and trees were ordered from all over the empire and beyond. The landscape design of gardens was also made by the German, French and Italian experts invited by the Sultan. The main element of the garden is a pool named “Hamid”, looking like a natural river 300meter in length and 15-40 meter in width. There is a small artificial island in the middle of the pool and small kiosks located in different points of the garden.