30 th International Horticultural Congress

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1 TECHNICAL TOUR to the Historical Ottoman Palace Gardens and Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden in ISTANBUL / Full Day Tour dates: 14 August 2018, Tuesday - 15 August 2018, Wednesday Tour Leaders: Assoc. Prof. Murat Deveci, Assoc. Prof. Evren Cabi SITES TO BE VISITED ON THIS TOUR Gardens of Dolmabahçe Palace Gardens of Yıldız Palace Gardens of Beylerbeyi Palace Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden Dolmabahçe Palace Dolmabahçe Palace was built by Sultan Abdulmecid ( ) who was the 31st Ottoman Sultan. The palace mainly consists of three parts, named as the Imperial Mabeyn (State Apartments), Muayede Salon (Ceremonial Hall) and the Imperial Harem. The Imperial Mabeyn was allocated for administrative affairs of the state, Imperial Harem was allocated for private lives of the sultan and his family, and the Muayede Salon, placed between these two sections, was allocated for exchanging of Religious Bayram greetings of sultan with dignitary statesmen and for some important state ceremonies. The main building is three storeys including the basement on the side which is parallel to sea and it is four storeys at the land side involving the Harem quarters with the musandıra (garret) storeys. Evident Western influences, observed at the style, details and ornaments, are reflections of the esthetical values, changed through the last period of the Imperial.

2 On the other hand, it is a building complex in which traditional Turkish House style was applied on a large scale with respect to space organization and relations between the rooms and salons. The outside of the building is mode of stone, the interior walls are made of brick and the floors are made of wood. Electricity and central heating were installed in to the palace which is open to the contemporary technology. It has a usable floor area of 45,000 square meters, 285 rooms, 44 reception rooms and 6 hamams (Turkish bath). The Mabeyn in which the sultan carries out state affairs is the most important section of Dolmabahçe Palace in terms of its function and magnificence. The Medhal Salon at the entrance, the Crystal Staircase serving as connection with the upper storey and carries protocol characteristics, the Süfera Hall where foreign ambassadors were entertained and the Red Chamber, used by the sultan for reception of the visitors, are all decorated and furnished in a manner emphasizing the historical magnificence of the empire. The library consists of the books of the last Caliph Abdulmecid is one of the outstanding rooms. Dolmabahçe Palace, hosted 6 sultans at intervals and also the last Ottoman Caliph Abdulmecid Efendi from 1856 when it was put into service, until the abolition of the caliphate in The palace was used as Presidency office between by the Turkish Republic. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of our Republic, used Dolmabahçe Palace for his studies at İstanbul between , and has passes away at this palace. The Palace has been opened to visit as a museum-palace from In addition to above mentioned properties, Dolmabahçe Palace has rather beautiful gardens which deserve to visit. Yıldız Palace - Chalet Yildiz Palace, covering an area of 500,000 square meters on a location overlooking the Bosphorus between Besiktas, Ortakoy and Balmumcu is a coppice of which settlement dates back to the Byzantine period. The coppice, named as Kazancioglu Garden after the Turkish conquest of İstanbul, probably became one of the private gardens of the sultan ( Hasbahçe ) during the reign of Sultan Ahmed I ( ).

3 The environment which also attracted attention during the reigns of Sultan Murad IV ( ) and Selim III ( ); began to be called with this name due to a kiosk name Yildiz which Selim III has built for his mother Mihrişah Valide Sultan. This group of buildings which developed with the kiosks and pavilions, added during the reigns of Sultan Mahmud II ( ), Sultan Abdulmecid ( ) and Sultan Abdulaziz ( ); was given the name Yildiz Palace with the buildings constructed during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. ( ) Yıldız Palace became the fourth administration center of the empire following the Old Palace, Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace. Chalet Kiosk, which is a part of Yildiz Palace and named as chalet meaning mountain hostel in French, is one of the most outstanding structures of 19th century Ottoman architecture. The first section of the kiosk was constructed in With the additional building built by Sarkis Balyan in 1889 the kiosk was enlarged with rooms and halls. The third section known as Merasim Kiosk (Ceremonial Kiosk) and constructed by Italian Architect D Aranco is known to be completed in The last two sections were constructed for German Emperor Wilhelm II for his visits to İstanbul. The Chalet Pavillion has the characteristics of a state guest house within the group of Yıldız Palace structures. The most attractive place of the building is the magnificent Ceremonial Hall, with one piece Hereke carpet which is 406 square meters and with the ceiling decorated with gilded panels. It is known that the muayede ceremonies were performed at this hall during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamit II. Except the dining hall reflecting the Ottoman taste, European style is dominant at the furnishing of the Kiosk. There is Sweden made big size Röstrand porcelain stoves among the outstanding elements of the decoration of the Chalet. Among the group of buildings of Yildiz Palace, a part of the stables named as Istabl-ı Amire-i Ferhan and the manege buildings gained new functionality after the completion of their restorations. Classical Turkish Arts Center is situated at one of the buildings. Manege building was transformed into a conference hall which can be allocated to congresses and seminars. Unlike the other palaces Yıldız has not only ordinary beautiful gardens but also very rich plant species that could be named as a botanical garden.

4 Beylerbeyi Palace Beylerbeyi Palace was thought to serve as a summer residence of Ottoman sultans and a state guest house to entertain the foreign heads of state and sovereigns and it was constructed on demand of Sultan Abdülaziz ( ). It was formally opened to usage on 21 April 1865, Friday. The building was constructed on a land of about 2,500 square meters sits on a rectangular floor area. Beylerbeyi Palace, which was constructed as a mixture of Western and Eastern styles, has the layout characteristics of traditional Turkish House with Harem and Mabeyn Sections. The schema of Beylerbeyi Palace consists of three parts: Imperial Mabeyn, Bedroom Apartment (Sultan s Apartment) and Valide (Mother) Sultan s Apartment. The facade of Imperial Mabeyn exhibits a design in which Neo-baroque style is more evident. Indoor arrangements of the Palace, like its mass and faces are shaped with an eclectic understanding. Owing to the sea passion of Sultan Abdulaziz, who constructed Beylerbeyi Palace, sea and ship themes were drawn in some frames and cartridges on the ceiling of the Palace; moreover, Sultan Abdulaziz drew some patterns including sea and ship themes in order to give an idea to the painters. The first important guest, who was entertained at Beylerbeyi Palace, was Empress Eugenie of France. This visit of the Empress was a return visit of Sultan Abdulaziz s visit to France in Other foreign guests who were entertained at Beylerbeyi Palace during the reign of Sultan Abdulaziz were Joseph, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary (1869), Frédéric Guillaume Nicola Charles, the Crown Prince of Prussia (1869), The Crown Prince of Italia (1869) and Nasıreddin, the Sah of Iran (18 August 1873). During 33 years of reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II ( ), Beylerbeyi Palace served as a museum which was especially visited by foreign state protocol. During that period, also Dolmabahçe Palace and Imperial Treasury of Topkapı Palace were used as Imperial museums which would have been visited with prior permission of the Sultan. Sultan Abdulhamit II, soon after his dethronement, was subjected to compulsory residence at Salonica Alatini Kiosk. However about 3 years later, due to eruption of Balkan War, he was taken to Istanbul. New compulsory residence, chosen for Abdulhamid II, was Beylerbeyi Palace. Former Sultan spent his last six years there and departed from life on 10 February 1918 at this palace.

5 Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden (NGBB) It was established in 1995 by Ali Nihat Gökyiğit as his wife Nezahat Gökyiğit s memory park first; then in 2003 was converted to an outstanding botanical garden for İstanbul. It consists of 8 islands on 32 hectares having totally more than plants. It has been serving as a research and training center as well. Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden (NGBB) provides a public service, funded by the Ali Nihat Gökyiğit Foundation (ANG Foundation) to preserve plant diversity, promote education and especially through exhibitions to demonstrate the crucial importance of plant diversity. The Garden is located on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, at the intersection of two motorways. In addition to being a research, training and education centre, NGBB has established an attractive amenity area for people living nearby which provides a 12% increase in green area to the city of Istanbul. NGBB aims to: Increase public knowledge related to the importance and value of plants which are the only guarantee for sustaining life on earth. Promote scientific research and education relating to plant life worldwide and the rich flora of Turkey by establishing well documented collections and providing a plant information centre. Protect and support the biological diversity of the world, and in particular endemic, rare and threatened species. Investigate and demonstrate the connections and relationships between economic and/or useful plants for mankind and to preserve and spread the accumulated knowledge about Turkey s cultural heritage. By exhibiting xerophytic and halophytic plants that are drought tolerant and resistant to global warming, thereby contributing towards the struggle against soil erosion and desertification worldwide.

6 Notes on the tour programme: The departure time from ICC (Istanbul Congress Center) will be 08:30 a.m. in the morning. The approximate return time to ICC will be 06:30 p.m. Bottled water will be provided in the vehicle during the tour. Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, hat, sun cream are recommended. The Palaces are closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Necessary refreshment stops will be provided during the tour. Tour price includes: Full day transportation from/to ICC, entrances fees to the museums, lunch with 1 soft drink, all toll fees & parking fees, VAT. Tour price does not include: Any personal expenses, additional drinks & refreshments are at extra charge.