Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski

Çırağan Palace (pronounced "Chiraan"), once the residence of the last Ottoman Sultans, has been restored to its former glory and is the only luxury hotel on the Europian shoes of the Bosphorus.

The Sultan's Palace, built in wood at the end of the 16th century and then rebuilt in marble for Sultan Abdülaziz in 1857, was badly damaged by fire in January 1910 and lay derelict and abandoned until 1986.

Lovingly restored for the Kempinski Hotel Group, the Palace has given a new meaning to the word "Luxury".

The area where Çırağan Palace Hotel Kempinski Istanbul now stands was known, in the 17th century, as Kazancioglu Garden. In the second half of the 16th century, High Admiral Kilic Ali Pasha had a waterfront house here, and in the 17th century (1648) Sultan Murat IV gave the imperial garden to his daughter, Kaya Sultan, and her husband, Grand Vizier Melek Ahmet Pasha. They had a small wooden mansion built here in which they would spend the summer months. At the beginning of the 18th century, Ahmet III presented the house and grounds to his son-in-law, Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha of Nevsehir, who organized torchlight fetes known as Çırağan Senlikleri (Çırağan Festivals) with his wife, Fatma Sultan. It was then that the area became known as Çırağan.

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, wife of the English ambassador Edward Wortley Montagu, who lived in Istanbul between 1717-1718, wrote of the original Çırağan Palace in her letters, published after her death: "It is situated on one of the most delightful parts of the canal, with a fine wood on the side of a hill behind it. The extent of it is prodigious; the guardian assured me there were eight hundred rooms in it, I will not however, answer for that number since I did not count them; but 'tis certain the number is very large, and the whole adorned with a profusion of marble, gilding and the most exquisite painting of fruit and flowers. The windows are all sashed with the finest crystalline glass brought from England, and here is all the expensive magnificence that you can suppose in a palace founded by a young man, with the wealth of a vast empire at his command."

This original palace was to be torn down and rebuilt many times over the next two centuries. After the rebellion of 1730 which brought the great Tulip era to an end, the palace was left empty and fell into disrepair. It was finally taken over by Mahmut I and used as a banqueting hall for foreign ambassadors.

Selim III's Grand Vizier Yusuf Ziya Pasha bought the Palace, demolished it, and commissioned Kirkor Balian to build a new palace in marble which he presented to the Sultan in 1805. Selim III then gave the Palace to his sister, Beyhan Sultan, but she returned it. This palace, used as a summer house during the reign of Mahmud II, was again demolished and rebuilt on a large scale by Garabed Balian in 1835-1843. Although great quantities of wood were used, the main section was made from marble and stone and included forty classical columns.

When Sultan Abdulmecid decided to move his official residence to Dolmabahce Palace in 1855, the Ciragan Palace was torn down again , to be replaced by an imposig stone edifice designed by Nigogos Balian, and the foundations of the present palace were laid. However, due to financial problems and the "Kuleli olayi" (an uncovered conspiracy to assassinate the sultan) the construction of the palace was only half finished. It was only completed in 1857, after Abdulaziz acceded to the throne. Abdulaziz demanded his palace to be built in Arab style as a memorial to his reign. Artists were sent to Spain and North Africa to make drawings of the famous buildings there.

The story goes that the Sultan interfered with the design so much that the plans were redrawn twenty times before he was satisfied. The palace doors, each worth one thousand gold pieces, were so admired by "Kaiser Wilhelm" that some were presented to him as a gift and stand today in Berlin Museum. The finest marble and mother-of-pearl were brought from all over the world for the new Çırağan Palace; construction was completed at a total cost of five million Ottoman gold liras. But Sultan Abdulaziz only lived here for a few months before pronouncing it to be too damp to stay in and moving out again. This former residence of king was destined to share the fate of the declining Ottoman Empire.

Sultan Murat V, deposed during a military takeover, was held prisoner here with his family until his death in 1904. After this the palace became the new location for parliament and was opened on November 14, 1909. Parliament convened here for just two months before a fire, which broke out in the central heating vents, destroyed the entire palace in just under five hours, leaving only a stone shell. Priceless antiques, paintings and books were lost, along with many vital documents. In 1946, Parliament gave the palace, its outbuildings and grounds, to Istanbul Municipality where it was used as a dumping ground for sand and other construction materials. It was also used as a swimming pool and was a football ground for the local team. It seemed only a matter of time before the last remnants of the former palace would be torn down once and for all.

Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski is situated on the European shores of the Bosphorus in a very convenient location between the districts of Besiktas and Ortakoy, a 45 minute drive from the airport.

Within close walking distance of the Hotel is the harbourside district of Ortakoy, a fascinating area full of seafood restaurants, specialty antique, ceramic and jewellery shops. On the weekends there's a colourful street market with a fine selection of Turkish handcrafts in a delightful setting beside the famed Ortakoy Mosque.

Close to this area are some of Istanbul's most famous open-air restaurants and nightclubs.

From Besiktas you can take a ferry boat ride and enjoy the historical sights of the Bosphorus, one of the busiest waterways in the world. From the Ciragan Palace Hotel it is a short taxi ride to Akmerkez, an award winning shopping complex where you will find all the world renowned brand names.

Included in nearby attractions is the area of Taksim a well known entertainment district of cinemas, restaurants and nightclubs.

Tuğra Restaurant

The Pearl of the classical Turkish and Ottoman Cuisine

The award-winning Tuğra Restaurant, famous for its refined classical Turkish and Ottoman Cuisine is back after a complete renovation. Tuğra Restaurant welcomes its guests with its new decoration with Ottoman motifs of clove and tulip in beige, blue and brown and its new menu, prepared after a detailed research. The new authentic menu will bring the guests back in time with Kabuni, Lamb Külbasti, Testi Kebab, Mahmudiye and many more… After coffee, the traditional candy stick trolley “Macun” will appear.

Laledan Fish Restaurant

Whether for breakfast or a romantic dinner, Laledan Restaurant offers delicious fish and rich mezze selections of the season. (Open everyday between 07:00 to 11:00 and from 19:00 to 23:00).

Gazebo Lounge & Restaurant (Open 24 hours)

A unique service in the city...Gazebo Lounge & Restaurant is now open for 24 hours!

The Gazebo Lobby Lounge & Restaurant, with its stunning view of the majestic Bosphorus, features the Çırağan's renowned Turkish and International High Teas, served from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Our Turkish High Tea features local specialties such as 'baklava' and 'su böreği' (baked layered pastry with cheese), while the International High Tea includes scones, smoked salmon canapés, cheesecake and other delicacies accompanied by a glass of champagne. Gazebo is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Guests can also enjoy the choice of the "Continental Breakfast" served between 07:00-10:00 as an alternative to the open buffet breakfast in Laledan Restaurant.

Çırağan Bar

Ciragan Bar, with signature cocktails and cigars invites you to enjoy a refined evening every night from 19:30 to 01:00, to enjoy live entertainment by our in-house pianist and singer. During evenings with fine weather, the Ciragan Bar will transfer to the Bosphorus Pier Lounge.

In Room Dining ( Candle Light Dinner)

In your own privacy, enjoying the magical view of the Bosphorus in a romantic atmosphere, you can have your candle light dinner with someone special.

Çırağan Brunch at Laledan

You may find tastes of a great variety, from open buffets where delicious tastes of the world cuisine are offered to traditional Turkish dishes that are prepared by our kitchen led by the world-famous chef, Rudolf Van Nunen and have a pleasant Sunday.