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Beylerbeyi is
a "small" Istanbul summer
palace overlooking the Bosphorus from
its Asian shore.
Built
on orders of the Ottoman Sultan
Abdulaziz (1861-1876), it's a
delightful, if ornate, imperial residence
with a fountain in the main
salon, the usual sumptuous chambers,
Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Sèvres
and Chinese vases, and pleasant gardens
(closed Monday and Thursday; stay
1-2 hrs)
The
palace was often used as a guest
house for visiting royalty. Empress
Eugénie of France, Shah Nasruddin
of Persia, Grand Duke Nicholas of
Russia and other worthies enjoyed
its comforts.
Sultan
Abdulhamid II was deposed by
the Young Turks in 1909, and spent
the last years of his life (1913-1918)
under house arrest at Beylerbeyi.
Much
of the furniture in the palace was
made by the
sultan himself, who was
an accomplished cabinet-maker.
Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi have
many good waterfront restaurants just
right for a pleasant lunch or afternoon
snack during sightseeing, as does
the village of Çengelköy,
a few minutes' ride to the north
from Beylerbeyi.
The most enjoyable way to go to Beylerbeyi
is by ferryboat from Eminönü.
If you can't find a ferryboat directly
to Beylerbeyi, take one to Çengelköy,
then a bus or taxi south to Beylerbeyi;
or take a ferry to Üsküdar (very
frequent) and a bus north to Beylerbeyi.
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