Beylerbeyi Palace, which was first used as a residential area during the Byzantine period, had a grove called Cross Gardens because of the large cross erected by Constantine II at that time. When it came under the dominion of the Ottoman Empire, many different buildings were built, and the region continued to maintain its importance with buildings of different nature during the reign of each sultan. Beylerbeyi Palace was used as the private garden of the sultans, all of these structures were demolished during the time of Mustafa the 3rd and the whole land was offered to the public. During the reign of Mahmut II, these lands were taken from the public again and a wooden palace was built on it, and as a result of a fire while Sultan Abdülmecit was in it, the palace was classified as unlucky and closed for use. Finally, when Sultan Abdulaziz came to the throne, the present Beylerbeyi Palace was built by the Armenian architects Sarkis Balyan and Agop Balyan brothers. Beylerbeyi Palace actually represents a whole formed by different complexes; · Summer Palace · Marble Mansion · Yellow Mansion · Stable Kiosk · Deniz Kiosk Summer Palace, which forms the main part of Beylerbeyi Palace; Made in Renaissance and Baroque styles, the east-west synthesis is well reflected. It consists of 3 entrances, 6 large halls, 24 rooms, a Turkish bath and a bathroom inside the apartments named Harem, Mabeyn-i Hümayun. The roof of Beylerbeyi Palace, which has a rectangular structure, is hidden by a parapet that can go around all its facades, the first floor is marble and the second floor is turned with marble-like stones. Inside the palace, there are golden embroideries, carved woods and paintings reflecting the period. Since Sultan Abdulaziz had a great passion for the sea, sea and ship themes stand out in the interior decoration. In Beylerbeyi Palace, which has one of the most beautiful structures and one of the best locations in the Bosphorus, there is a glass-covered pool that takes its water from the sea. Beylerbeyi Palace also hosted heavy guests, especially during the Ottoman period. Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, who has an important place in history, King Nikola of Montenegro, Shah of Iran Nasrüddin, King of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph and Grand Duke Nikola are among these people. In 1909, architect Vedat Tek took part in the restoration of the palace, and the palace took its present form. You will not want to leave Beylerbeyi Palace, which will not end with telling, where you can watch unique views on the Bosphorus and each point of which represents a different beauty when you visit.
One of the most romantic works reflecting Istanbul is the Maiden's Tower. B.C. With its historical story dating back to 410 BC, it is a unique structure that has been standing on the Bosphorus for years as if it came out of a fairy tale book. Located in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul, the Maiden's Tower is known as the only work from the Byzantine period in this region. Evliya Çelebi described the Maiden's Tower built on the small island in the area where the Marmara and Black Seas meet; “An arrow shot from the land in the sea is a tall, four-cornered, artistically made tower. Its height is exactly 80 (eighty) cubits. Its surface area is two hundred steps. It has doors on both sides.” The Maiden's Tower, which has undertaken the task of being a light to the ships passing through the Bosphorus for years, has taken on a different concept by making a restaurant inside after the renovation works carried out today. The Maiden's Tower can be reached via Salacak by boat. The Maiden's Tower has many stories. In almost every era, dreams have been made about this unique tower and stories have been told. The most well-known of these stories is Yılanlı Hikaye; “According to legend, the oracle tells the King that his daughter will be killed by a snake when she turns 18. Since the king loves his daughter very much, he wants to protect her by having a tower built in the middle of the sea. But when the day comes, the king's daughter is bitten by the snake that climbed up the tower with a basket of grapes and dies. The king, on the other hand, puts his daughter in an iron coffin above the entrance door of today's Hagia Sophia. It is said that even after the death of the princess, the snake still came to visit her coffin, which had two holes in it.” With the Romantic Istanbul Tour, you will visit the fairy-tale places of Istanbul that have been transformed with stories, and you will spend a pleasant day with the view of the Bosphorus, which is a feast for the eyes. Finally, we end with the romantic lines written by the esteemed master Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu for the Maiden's Tower; “When I think of Istanbul, I think of towers. Whenever I paint a picture of one, the other gets jealous. But if this Maiden's Tower had a mind, it would reach the Galata Tower. They would have many children.”
