Timeline
Moments in a longer story.
Selected milestones in the palace’s history, from waterfront gardens to a museum-palace.
On this page
A changing waterfront
These dates concern the palace and its setting. They are not a company history for this booking service.
- 17th century
The bay becomes a garden
The inlet is filled and becomes an imperial garden.
- 1843
Construction begins
Work begins on the present palace.
- 1856
A new palace
The completed palace begins its imperial role.
- 1924
The imperial chapter ends
The last caliph’s period of residence ends.
- 1927–1938
Atatürk in Istanbul
Atatürk uses the palace during visits and dies here in 1938.
- 1984
A museum-palace
The palace opens for museum visits with its historic furnishings.
Follow the stories behind the dates
A timeline provides orientation. Read the longer history and the official account for the people, uses and changes behind these milestones.
Read at the source
Sources & further reading
Links lead to the original publishers. They do not imply affiliation with or endorsement of Dolmabahçe Palace.
