Painting Museum History, Exhibits, Entrance Fee, and Visiting Hours
The National Palaces Museum of Painting, located in the Apartment of the Heir Apparent at Dolmabahçe Palace, is an important cultural and historical site in Turkey. This building, a significant architectural symbol, was constructed during Sultan Abdülmecid’s reign and marked a new era of freedom for Ottoman heirs after the 1839 Reforms. It served as the residence for several Ottoman princes and sultans, including Sultan Abdülaziz, Sultan Murad V, Sultan Abdülhamid II, Sultan Mehmed V Reşad, Yusuf İzzettin Efendi, Sultan Mehmed VI, and Caliph Abdülmecid when they were crown princes.
The museum opened on March 22, 2014, showcasing a collection that reflects the artistic tastes of the Ottoman palace during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It includes Turkey’s first collection of Western-style paintings and drawings. Initially, 200 pictures from the National Palaces Painting Collection and the Topkapı Palace Museum Collection were displayed.
Subsequent renovations integrated the second part of the Apartment of the Heir Apparent with the existing museum, creating a notable cultural institution in Turkey equipped with modern museum technology. The collection expanded to 553 paintings and drawings, including works dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries. A highlight is Félix-Auguste Clément’s “Prince Halim Hunting Gazelles in the Gatah Desert: Greyhounds’ Share,” the largest Orientalist painting in Turkey.
The museum now features 34 thematic galleries, including Sultan Abdülmecid and Sultan Abdülaziz Hall, Devlet-i Aliyye, and many others showcasing various aspects of Ottoman history and culture.
Visiting Information:
- Closed on Mondays.
- Ticket offices open at 9:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM.
- Public and religious holiday schedules vary.
Ticket Prices:
- Domestic Visitors: 50 TL.
- Foreign Visitors: 200 TL.
- Discounted Ticket: 25 TL.
- Certain exceptions apply for Museum Card holders.
Location: Vişnezade Mahallesi, Dolmabahçe Caddesi, Dolmabahçe Sarayı, Beşiktaş.
Contact Information:
- Telephone: 0 (212) 236 90 00 (1788)
- Fax: 0 (212) 259 32 92
- Email: [email protected]
The museum offers a unique glimpse into the Ottoman Empire’s art and culture, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history buffs.
