The National Palaces

Turkish architecture evolved a variety of forms throughout its history. Turkish palaces in particular became increasingly identifiable as a distinguishable part of the Turkish structural repertoire throughout the various regions inhabited by the Turks from their entrance to the Islamic world to the 20 century. Unfortunately, few actual examples of this type of architecture have survived, and those still in existence are much modified by the destruction of, or radical changes to their fabric and their environment. Although the Anatolian, Seljuk and Beylik periods may be considered relatively recent, in terms of architectural history, only a few archeological remains are evidence of the existence of palaces built during those eras. A similar situation exists, for the early Ottoman period, the royal structures of which almost totally disappeared, including palaces in Bursa and Edirne, the early palace of the Conqueror, Mehmet II in Istanbul - Eski Saray, and other, documented palaces in Filibe, Dimetoka, Manisa and Üsküdar. Nevertheless, we can trace the general development 'of the palace as an architectural institution in the Turkish genre through documentary sources, including such illustrative material as miniatures and engravings. Above all, some of the most important royal buildings of the Ottoman period are still in existence. They are the three palaces which acted as the administrative centers of that period at various times, namely the palaces of Topkapı, Dolmabahçe and Yıldız, and the numerous palaces, pavilions and royal lodges scattered about Istanbul which, in all, are representative of the genre as it existed over the last five centuries. With the dissolution of the Ottoman sultanate and the subsequent foundation of the Republic, these structures were turned over to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), which allocated a number of them for the use of various institutions. Today, many of them are under administration of the Regional Directorate of National Palaces, a body affiliated to the TBMM, while others are being managed and used by various institutions, notable the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

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