Armenian Architects

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Ciragan Palace-Nigogayos, Hagob and Sarkis Balyan...2

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Dolmabahce Palace is the creation of Armenian architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan...

Istambul...

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Dolmabahce Palace is the creation of Armenian architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan...

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Dolmabahce Palace is the creation of Armenian architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan...

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Dolmabahce Palace is the creation of Armenian architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigoğayos Balyan...

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Dolmabahce was built between 1843 and 1856 by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan and commissioned by Sultan Abdülmecid I, the 31st Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The palace design and décor reflects the increasing influence of European cultural standards on Ottoman culture. Neo-Classic, Baroque, Rococo and Ottoman styles all blend together into glittering opulence and grandeur. The 45,000 square metre palace cost a mere five million Ottoman gold pounds, the equivalent of 35 tonnes of gold— 14 tonnes of which went into the decoration alone!

Previously, the Sultan and his family lived at Topkapı Sarayı, but as Topkapı was lacking in contemporary luxury and style, Abdülmecid decided to build Dolmabahce. When you visit both palaces, the differences are quite clear— Topkapı has exquisite examples of Iznik tiles and Ottoman carving, Dolmabahçe has gold, gold, gold. And crystal. One thing I love about visiting Topkapı is that you are free to wander the palace at your leisure, whereas the only way to see the inside of Dolmabahçe is with a guided tour. There's hardly any time for a sketcher like me to get anything down on paper. But you can take loads of pictures.

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1843 and 1856 by Armenian architect Garabet Balyan...