Hello Everyone!
Today I want to talk about historical hotels, because I have spent a couple of days in Historical Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel and I want to share my experiences with you.
The gorgeous historic Ciragan Place hotel like a pearl along the Bosporous in Istanbul-Turkey. If people visit the hotel they eventually fall in love it because the hotel was placed on the European coast of the Bosphorus, between Ortakoy and Besiktas neighbourhoods in Istanbul-Turkey, therefore it has a spectacular lovely seascape. As you know, many legendary tales lie hidden behind the doors of history and Çirağan Palace is really one of those great living legends. Hence I want to share its historic story with you. If you have a curiosity to learn about the historical story about a building as me, you can enjoy it.
-Did you know Çerağan meaning ‘light spreading’ in Persian?
Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha of Nevsehir wants to make a Mansion for his beloved wife Fatma Sultan. Therefore, the first waterside mansion was constructed in Kazancioglu area,in 1719. Fatma Sultan always organised Torclit celebrations and festivals in it’s tulip garden, and gardens decorated with kind of torches in the evening. Therefore it was called Ciragan Place by Ottoman people, because Çirağan meaning is a spread light and the name derived from the Persian word.
About a century later, Sultan 2.Mahmut ordered to have The Çırağan mansion demolished and rebuild a new Place. His architecture made it entirely out of stone and the 40 columns gave it a classical look. The construction took about 12 years. In 1791 the Palace was sold to 3. Selim’s Sister Beyhan Sultan but one day 3.Selim visited his sister and during his visit, he was enamoured with the Çirağan Palace and Sultan purchased it from his sister for himself. Sultan began spending most of time at the Place and he written magnificent poetry, also he created some gorgeous poetries in this Palace. After Sultan 3.Selim, Çirağan Palace went back to being ‘the Favourite mansion’ of Sultans.
In 1834 Sultan 2. Mahmut decided to rebuild the Place and he demolished the Place together with School and Mosque. it’s construction took about eight year, New Çrağan Palace was magnificent with the classical appearance.
After the years, in 1863Sultan Abdulaziz whose carried out his brother wishes, and he ordered Agop Balyan to build a Place, He used North African architectural techniques for the new Place and a new stone foundation was built in its place. Also gorgeous priceless doors of the Palace were each made by Vortik Kemhaciyan and worthy 1000 gold coins. In for years, German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm visited Çırağan Palace and he admired the palace doors therefore 2.Sultan Abdulhamit had gave one of the door as a present to his close friend Kaiser Wilhelm, he sent that door on display at the Berlin Museum. Çırağan Palace was completed in 1871 and 2.5 million gold coins were spent. But unfortunately, a rumour spread among the public. Due to rumour, if the Palace take the House of Mevlevi for the incorporation of its land into the Place estate, it would bring bad luck. Therefore Sultan Abdulaziz moved to Dolmabahce Palace and he lived in there.
In 1909, the Çiragan Palace was used by the government as Turkish Parlement Building, the building decorated valuable paintings from the art collection of Sultan 2.Abdulhamid, the art works had made by Ayvazovsky and Rembrant . Unfortunately, in 1910 a cruel fire which is known to have started in the attic heating system and destroyed the place within 5 hours, including excellence antiques, 2. Abdulhamid of the art collections and books from the library of Murad the 5.
In addition, An army captain damaged the grave site of the dervishes in the basement of the Palace while digging for gold after the years of the fire. At the and of the first world war, during the occupation of Istanbul, The ruined Çiragan Palace was used as ‘Bizo Barrack’ by the French military for the corps engineers. Another saddened event that, Besiktas Futbol Club had cut some trees in the Palace garden for using as stadium in 1930. After the short time, Prof. Bonatz and Architect Prof. Sedat Hakki Elder had investigated about building a hotel in this area.
In 1985 the Sanbar Group signed a letter of understanding with the Government to renovate the Çırağan Palace and transform from the Palace to a 5 star hotel. The construction started in 1987 and after the Kempinski Group was awarded the contract for the hotel management and operations. Çırağan Palace Kempinski opens its door to public in 1990. Since then Çırağan Palace Kempinski has been hosting to the different country people.
In conclusion, Amazing location and historic story of the hotel, satisfy staff, hotel’s waiters are very friendly and attentive, tidy comfortably rooms and delicious foods. The service in the hotel is good level one would expect at a Kempinski. If you have no complain classical fashioned and you love historic style place, it can be enjoyable for a short break in Istanbul. There is endless views of the city, you can see that, east meets west from the Palace balcony. The hotel has an lovely pool on Boshporus, garden which is spectacular place to hang out with friends or family, for a cup of coffee, tea.Finally there is a fine dining restaurants and bars, Restaurants has good gastronomic experiences.
Address: Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul / Çırağan Caddesi 32/ 34349 Istanbul-Turkey.
Thank you very much for stopping by. 🙂
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Some fascinating history there. I’m sure Turkey has many hidden treasures– they should appoint you as their Minister of Culture and Public Relations! Thanks for sharing!! 😊
Thank you for very nice comment, I like share historical story and there are many historical building as hidden treasure in Turkey I was happy you liked it! 🙂