The Palace Collections Museum

Istanbul E-pass includes Palace Collections Museum Entrance Ticket. Simply scan your QR code at the entrance and get in.

Explore the Palace Collections Museum near Dolmabahce Palace

The Palace Collections Museum, situated within the Imperial Palace Kitchens of Dolmabahce Palace, was built by Sultan Abdulmecid and is pided into three main sections: Art Gallery, Museum, and Depot.

A Glimpse into Ottoman Heritage

The museum showcases artifacts from the final period of the Ottoman Empire, drawing from a variety of palaces and pavilions, including Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, Topkapi, Yildiz Palaces, and more. The collection features items that were ordered, purchased, or received as gifts, with a thematic exhibition that spans a wide array of objects.

Sultan Abdulhamid II's Personal Collection

Among the highlights is the collection of Sultan Abdulhamid II, which includes his personal belongings and gifts received on the 25th anniversary of his enthronement. Notable items include a phaeton driven by the Sultan, as well as his sword, prayer beads, and woodworking tools. Precious gifts such as a silver model of a building and a replica of the Sultan Ahmed III Fountain are also on display.

Children's Clothing and Royal Toys

The museum also features children’s clothing from the National Palaces Textile Collection, offering insight into the garments worn by royal children. Additionally, toys and educational artifacts used by Durrusehvar Sultan, the daughter of the last Caliph Abdulmecid Efendi, provide a glimpse into the education and daily life of the Ottoman royal family.

Diverse Collections

The Palace Collections Museum boasts a wide range of exhibits, including:

• Furniture: Showcasing a variety of styles and origins, with selected pieces displayed in their original settings.
• Calligraphy and Writing Sets: Featuring inkwells, paperweights, and other writing tools that played a significant role in Ottoman life.
• Porcelain: A rich collection of late Ottoman Empire porcelain, including items from the Yildiz Porcelain Factory.
• Embroidery: Exquisite embroidered textiles that reflect the fusion of traditional and modern art influences.
• Silver Tableware: Gold-plated silver tableware used in 19th-century palace banquets.
• Hereke Imperial Factory: Displaying prestigious textiles and fabrics produced exclusively for the Ottoman palaces.
• Light Fittings: Majestic crystal chandeliers and candelabras that illuminate the opulence of the palaces.
• Heating, Industrial, and Medical Equipment: Various tools and machines that highlight the Ottoman Empire’s engagement with the Industrial Revolution.
• Clocks and Musical Instruments: Including a Steinway piano that represents the Ottoman royal family's love for music.
• Books: A selection from the Caliph Abdulmecid Library at Dolmabahce Palace.

The Depot: Preserving Ottoman Treasures

With limited exhibition space, around ten thousand objects from the 19th-century palaces are stored in Turkey’s first and only museum depot, opened to the public on October 18, 2016. This facility ensures the preservation of a vast array of artifacts, providing ideal conditions for their conservation.