YILDIZ PARK

Attended assiduously since Suleiman the Magnificent as a place for hunting and relaxation, the park is part of a complex that saw the first buildings appear under the era of Ahmed I (1603-1617). Abdülmecit (1839-1861) wanted the building redeveloped and all the structures were demolished, but it was during the time of Abdülaziz (1861-1876) that the current buildings were built. Thus, he asked the architect Garabed Balian to build the pavilions of the Tent (Çadır Köşkü) and Malta (Malta Köşkü). Interior paintings often reflect the themes of hunting and serenity. But the park is best known for Sultan Abdülhamid II (1876-1909) who, suspicious of the Dolmabahçe palace, which he considered dangerous to his health and well-being, had chosen it as his first residence. Due to his hostility towards the constitutional monarchy and the nationalist movements that were then beginning to germinate, Sultan Abdülaziz was the victim of a putsch on 30 May 1876. His successor, Murad V, remained in power for only 96 days! Allegedly insane, he was dismissed in favour of Abdülhamid II. Passionate about carpentry and fond of art, contrary to the austere image he is given, he enriches the park with new buildings: theatre and opera hall, hammam, library, pharmacy, zoo...

Near the entrance, on the right, a path leads to the mausoleum (türbe) of Yahya Efendi, one of Islam's most famous saints. He was born in Trebizond on the same day as Suleyman the Magnificent. His mother being the Sultan's nurse, he accompanied him to Istanbul and became one of the most prominent theologians of his time. Going up to the left, you first arrive at the Tent Pavilion (Çadır Köşkü), now a café-restaurant. Continuing the slope, almost at the top, awaits you the most beautiful building in the park, the Şale Köşkü. Built and enlarged according to the will of Abdülhamid II, its name comes from the French "chalet", perhaps an allusion to its location. The whole thing was completed in 1898. Unlike Dolmabahçe, the architectural aesthetics give the impression of a simpler harmony, while remaining elegant and expressive. Moreover, the site was intended to accommodate foreign representatives and statesmen. To reach the Malta pavilion, also transformed into a café-restaurant, you must pass on the right wing at the end of the park. The Hamidiye Mosque is not within the park, a parallel (Müvezzi Caddesi) that starts at Çırağan Caddesi joins it (at the far right).