Yıldız Palace

Spread across a wooded hillside above the Bosphorus, this sprawling complex of pavilions, kiosks and gardens served as the principal residence of Sultan Abdulhamid II in the late nineteenth century. Rather than a single grand building, it comprises numerous chalets and offices set in landscaped grounds, reflecting the reclusive sultan's taste for a secluded court. The Şale Kiosk, built to host visiting heads of state, is richly decorated, while a former porcelain factory and theatre survive. The extensive park blends exotic trees with ponds.