Dolmabahçe Palace

 Dolmabahçe Palace represents the grandeur and westernization of the late Ottoman
Empire, serving as the primary administrative center and royal residence from 1856 to 1922. Built by Sultan Abdülmecid I, the palace replaced Topkapi Palace as the main imperial residence and showcases a fascinating blend of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical architectural styles with traditional Ottoman elements. The palace's construction required 13 years and employed the era's finest architects, artists, and craftsmen from across Europe and the Ottoman Empire.

The palace interior is renowned for its opulent decorations, including the world's largest Bohemian crystal chandelier weighing 4.5 tons, which hangs in the Ceremonial Hall. The palace contains 285 rooms and 46 halls, featuring an incredible collection of European furniture, crystal, silk carpets, and artwork. Notable features include the throne room with its 36-meter-high dome, the crystal staircase, and rooms decorated with gold leaf and precious stones. Dolmabahçe Palace also holds significant historical importance as the place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, spent his finalyears and passed away in 1938. The palace gardens, stretching along the Bosphorus shore, feature rare plants, fountains, and offer stunning water views