This palace was built by Abdulhamid, and consists of kiosks, chalets and pavilions. If ! 'have been talking of palace since the description of Dolmabahce, please do not think this is a sign of a special predilection. One has only to remember that this city called Istanbul -has been the capital of empire upon empire for more than 2000 years and one will be surprised no longer at the vast number of palaces.After paying a fee per person end car at the entrance. the first thing that strides the visitor is the sense of freshness and quiet content that seems to be distilled from the high trees. All manner of tree here rises to the sky. Greenery abounds and among the bushes little streams flow and form lakes. In the autumn a rich and varied exhibition of dahlias takes place here which we recommend the visitor not to miss if he is here at that season. To the left of the entrance end the surfaced road, in the vast garden that surrounds the palace and on all its terraces, more than 200 varieties of dahlias can be seen. Their profusion of color is so great that one ends up by feeling almost oppressed.Originally, at the end of the 19th century, this palace was a simple villa. Legend has it that Abdul Mecit I's favourite mistress Yildiz, lived here. But the monarch who built all these villas and pavilions in this park was Abdulhamid, one of the last of the padishahs, who recalling the two dethronements that had taken place in the Dolmabahce Palace, decided to move elsewhere.
The large palace that he lived in, and the surrounding pavilions, are at the upper end of the park, behind the high walls we see as we climb up the hill. Within this space behind the walls there stands a fine wooden chalet which used to have a luxurious interior. The palace itself is now the Academy of War. Entry is on the avenue that rises from Besiktas past the mosque. In the chalet behind the palace occasional meetings are held or official guests accommodated. Two stone buildings inside the park are a fine sight to behold, and behind of the first building, there is a large and beautiful pool. We would advise the visitor to step on to the little island in the middle and to take some lovely snapshots.One of the most beautiful panoramas in the world extends before you as you stand on the terrace in front of the kiosk. A sea of flowers and trees undulates in waves down to the real sea. This sea is the Bosphorus, but it flows like a river. Opposite rise wooded slopes. It is a corner of paradise that. unfortunately, most tourists miss. To the lone tourist no one thinks of pointing out this spot, whilst tourists in organized parties are usually shown only the important monuments. To return to the second kiosk which we mentioned above. It is set on the slope of the park and can be reached by taking the path to the night. From the terrace by the Kiosk a further unforgettable panorama which will thrill your heart, can be viewed. As the Turkish word Yildiz mean, Star and "dahlia" and as this name is intertwined with the name of the palace, the park is always full of dahlias. Yıldız Palace situated on Beşiktaş’s Yıldız Hill comprises a group of buildings which constitute a recent example of Turkish Ottoman Palace architecture. 
This area where the palace stands and which is recorded as 'Hazine-i Hassa' (Special to the Treasury Sovereign land) was used as hunting grounds by the sultans since the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617) built the first mansion on this land.
Sultan Murat IV (1617-1640) lived in this mansion when he used to go hunting.
At the end of the XVIII century, a mansion was built for Mihrişah Sultan, the mother of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) and it was called 'Yıldız'. Sultan Selim also ordered a fountain built here in the rococo style which is situated in the palace garden.
Sultan Mahmut II (1808-1839), who ascended the throne after Sultan Selim III, used to visit Yıldız garden to view archery and wrestling matches. He ordered that a kiosk and a garden be built here in 1834-1835. Sultan Mahmut II, who abolished the Janissary Corps in 1826, observed military training exercises by the newly established army called the 'Asakir-i Mansure-i Muhammediye' in Yıldız garden.
His son, Sultan Abdülmecit (1839-1861), demolished the kiosks and built a kiosk called 'Kasr-ı Dilküşa' for his mother Bezm-i Alem Sultan in 1842.
Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876) who used to reside at Yıldız Palace mostly during summer ordered the construction of the Great Reception Kiosk (Büyük Mabeyn Köşkü) which was designed by the Balyan brothers, who were noted architects. Later, he added the Çit Mansion to the basic part of the palace and the Malta and Çadır kiosks to the part called the external garden.
After the death of Sultan Abdülaziz, Sultan Murat V (1876) ascended the throne and during his reign he lived in Yıldız Palace for 92 days.
Sultan Murat was dethroned because of mental illness. He was suceeded by his brother, Sultan Abdülhamit II (1876-1909). His reign lasted 33 years. Sultan Abdülhamit II's uncle, Sultan Abdülaziz and his brother Sultan Murat V lived in Dolmabahçe Palace along the seaside. However Dolmabahçe Palace was in danger of a siege from the sea, and therefore on April 7, 1877, Sultan Abdülhamit II moved to Yıldız Palace.
The main part of the Palace was built during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamit and it was called 'Yildız Sarayı Hümayun-u' (Yıldız Imperial Palace). The surrounding area was also purchased during that time, and the external garden, today's Yıldız Park, has been expanded and public buildings have been constructed.
The Palace, with its gardens, cover nearly 80,000 square metres.
In addition to the kiosks used by sultans and their families and by government officials, there were also various buildings such as theatres, museums, libraries, pharmacies, zoos, masjids (small mosque), hamams (Turkish bath), repair shops and carpenter's shops at their disposal. The building where the carpenter's shop was located was built by order of Sultan Abdülhamit II. Palace furniture was made here. Sultan Abdülhamit II, who is known for his engravings, attached great importance to carpentry. The carpenter's shop has been restored and has now been turned into a museum.
Just outside the palace, there were the Guard's Corps of the first army.
Mehmet Pasha (1909-1918), who became sultan following Sultan Abdülhamit II, underwent an operation at the 'Four Season Hall' in the kiosk called the 'Special Flat'. When he died on July 3, 1918, Mehmet Vahidettin VI (1918-1922) became sultan.
Sultan Vahidettin, who mostly resided at Dolmabahçe Palace, on occasion stayed at Yıldız Palace. He met the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on May 15, 1919, in a room of the 'Little Reception Kiosk'.
Following the meeting, Mustafa Kemal departed from Istanbul and went to Samsun on May 19, 1919. Sultan Vahidettin had to leave the country and took refuge on a Malayan battleship of the British fleet on November 17, 1922.
The palace remained empty for a while and then it was given to the Erkan-ı Harbiye (General Staff) school. Between 1941 and 1946, various units of the Armed Forces occupied the palace. The War Academy was there from 1946 to 1974. It was then moved to Ayazağa in 1974. From 1978 onwards, the palace was under the protection of a service division annexed to this Academy.
Works of art and other moveables belonging to the palace were taken to the Müze-i Hümayun (Imperial Museum) and later put in various places such as Istanbul University's Library, Topkapı Palace and the Military Museum.
The palace, which had been used as a War Academy for a long time, was later put under the supervision of the Culture Ministry in 1978 and the Yıldız Palace Directorate was opened. Initial efforts to convert the palace into a museum began in 1994. On January 6, 1994, the Palace Theatre and the restored Stage Arts Museum were opened. On April 8, 1994, the Yıldız Palace Museum was opened to the public.
This building, the restoration of which has been completed, and the Gedikli Cariyeler (Permanent Odalisque) building nearby became the Theatre and Stage Arts Museum. There is a section where original costumes are exhibited which is in one part of the theatre museum.
The personal effects of noted artists and documents which belong to theatre history are exhibited in the Stage Arts Museum.
The personal effects of Sultan Abdülhamit II are on display at Yıldız Palace Museum. There are also examples of woodworking and products of the Yıldız Porcelain Factory.
The Yıldız Palace Theatre and Stage Arts Museum is the only Palace Theatre which has been turned into a museum. It was built by Sultan Abdülhamit II in 1889.
This area where the palace stands and which is recorded as 'Hazine-i Hassa' (Special to the Treasury Sovereign land) was used as hunting grounds by the sultans since the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent. Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617) built the first mansion on this land.
Sultan Murat IV (1617-1640) lived in this mansion when he used to go hunting.
At the end of the XVIII century, a mansion was built for Mihrişah Sultan, the mother of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) and it was called 'Yıldız'. Sultan Selim also ordered a fountain built here in the rococo style which is situated in the palace garden.
Sultan Mahmut II (1808-1839), who ascended the throne after Sultan Selim III, used to visit Yıldız garden to view archery and wrestling matches. He ordered that a kiosk and a garden be built here in 1834-1835. Sultan Mahmut II, who abolished the Janissary Corps in 1826, observed military training exercises by the newly established army called the 'Asakir-i Mansure-i Muhammediye' in Yıldız garden.
His son, Sultan Abdülmecit (1839-1861), demolished the kiosks and built a kiosk called 'Kasr-ı Dilküşa' for his mother Bezm-i Alem Sultan in 1842.
Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876) who used to reside at Yıldız Palace mostly during summer ordered the construction of the Great Reception Kiosk (Büyük Mabeyn Köşkü) which was designed by the Balyan brothers, who were noted architects. Later, he added the Çit Mansion to the basic part of the palace and the Malta and Çadır kiosks to the part called the external garden.
After the death of Sultan Abdülaziz, Sultan Murat V (1876) ascended the throne and during his reign he lived in Yıldız Palace for 92 days.
Sultan Murat was dethroned because of mental illness. He was suceeded by his brother, Sultan Abdülhamit II (1876-1909). His reign lasted 33 years. Sultan Abdülhamit II's uncle, Sultan Abdülaziz and his brother Sultan Murat V lived in Dolmabahçe Palace along the seaside. However Dolmabahçe Palace was in danger of a siege from the sea, and therefore on April 7, 1877, Sultan Abdülhamit II moved to Yıldız Palace.
The main part of the Palace was built during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamit and it was called 'Yildız Sarayı Hümayun-u' (Yıldız Imperial Palace). The surrounding area was also purchased during that time, and the external garden, today's Yıldız Park, has been expanded and public buildings have been constructed.
The Palace, with its gardens, cover nearly 80,000 square metres.
In addition to the kiosks used by sultans and their families and by government officials, there were also various buildings such as theatres, museums, libraries, pharmacies, zoos, masjids (small mosque), hamams (Turkish bath), repair shops and carpenter's shops at their disposal. The building where the carpenter's shop was located was built by order of Sultan Abdülhamit II. Palace furniture was made here. Sultan Abdülhamit II, who is known for his engravings, attached great importance to carpentry. The carpenter's shop has been restored and has now been turned into a museum.
Just outside the palace, there were the Guard's Corps of the first army.
Mehmet Pasha (1909-1918), who became sultan following Sultan Abdülhamit II, underwent an operation at the 'Four Season Hall' in the kiosk called the 'Special Flat'. When he died on July 3, 1918, Mehmet Vahidettin VI (1918-1922) became sultan.
Sultan Vahidettin, who mostly resided at Dolmabahçe Palace, on occasion stayed at Yıldız Palace. He met the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, on May 15, 1919, in a room of the 'Little Reception Kiosk'.
Following the meeting, Mustafa Kemal departed from Istanbul and went to Samsun on May 19, 1919. Sultan Vahidettin had to leave the country and took refuge on a Malayan battleship of the British fleet on November 17, 1922.
The palace remained empty for a while and then it was given to the Erkan-ı Harbiye (General Staff) school. Between 1941 and 1946, various units of the Armed Forces occupied the palace. The War Academy was there from 1946 to 1974. It was then moved to Ayazağa in 1974. From 1978 onwards, the palace was under the protection of a service division annexed to this Academy.
Works of art and other moveables belonging to the palace were taken to the Müze-i Hümayun (Imperial Museum) and later put in various places such as Istanbul University's Library, Topkapı Palace and the Military Museum.
The palace, which had been used as a War Academy for a long time, was later put under the supervision of the Culture Ministry in 1978 and the Yıldız Palace Directorate was opened. Initial efforts to convert the palace into a museum began in 1994. On January 6, 1994, the Palace Theatre and the restored Stage Arts Museum were opened. On April 8, 1994, the Yıldız Palace Museum was opened to the public.
This building, the restoration of which has been completed, and the Gedikli Cariyeler (Permanent Odalisque) building nearby became the Theatre and Stage Arts Museum. There is a section where original costumes are exhibited which is in one part of the theatre museum.
The personal effects of noted artists and documents which belong to theatre history are exhibited in the Stage Arts Museum.
The personal effects of Sultan Abdülhamit II are on display at Yıldız Palace Museum. There are also examples of woodworking and products of the Yıldız Porcelain Factory.
The Yıldız Palace Theatre and Stage Arts Museum is the only Palace Theatre which has been turned into a museum. It was built by Sultan Abdülhamit II in 1889.
