Beylerbeyi Palace complex

Beylerbeyi Palace, together with its surrounding buildings, statues and gardens, forms a complex.

Pavilions

The Marble Pavilion and the Yellow Pavilion, which are other structures of the palace complex, are parts of the old palace built during the reign of Mahmud II. The Marble Pavilion received its name because its façades are covered with large marble slabs. It is located at the back of the large pool in the garden. It is a single‑storey building constructed in the imperial style. It consists of a large hall and two rooms. Its hall contains a large oval pool.

The Yellow Pavilion, situated by the pool, is a three‑storey brick building with a basement. Each floor has a hall and two rooms. It is a simple structure composed of three sections, with a baroque staircase in its hall. The pavilion’s interior features sea paintings. The front and rear façades have groups of three semicircular arched windows.

The Stable Pavilion was built for the care of the sultan’s horses. It is located in the southern part of the palace grounds. The palace’s doors and windows are shaped like horseshoe arches. Inside there is a pool and a stable with twenty stalls. This pavilion is decorated with animal paintings and horse figures.

Beylerbeyi Palace is situated within a wide garden that rises in terraces away from the sea. The palace garden is adorned with bronze animal statues, all of which were made in Paris, together with trees and pools. In the garden there is a large pool measuring 80 × 30 m, in which one can ride a boat. The garden is surrounded by an ornate wall that runs parallel to the sea along the quay. Two gates were built in the wall to provide sea access to the palace. In addition, sea pavilions are located on both sides of the wall. These pavilions have a hexagonal plan and their roofs are shaped like tents. Each pavilion contains a room and a toilet.

Muzika-i Hümâyun, Pasha Wing and Harem Aghas Wing

During the 93 War of 1877–1878, the buildings Muzika-i Hümâyun, the Pasha Wing and the Harem Aghas Wing, which were used to house refugees who migrated from the Caucasus, were later emptied as the wounded were transferred and were assigned to the Red Crescent Society for use as a hospital. In 1890, the hospital from the Kuleli Barracks and the Medical School were moved to these buildings. In 1906, the Mekteb-i Sultani began its activities here. After the Mekteb-i Sultani returned to its former location, the hospital resumed operations on 15 March 1909. It hosted the wounded during World War I. After the hospital was closed in 1919, the building was used as the Reserve Officer School and the Health Transit Depot. Later it underwent extensive restoration and was converted into the Naval Petty Officer School. Subsequently it was partially burned and ultimately demolished.