The last palace to be built for the ruling family, Çırağan Sarayı was designed by the Armenian architect Sarkis Balyan for Sultan Abdülaziz. The striking architecture combines Turkish elements with European, and particularly Venetian, architecture, against the Bosphorus Strait as a backdrop. The palace was completed in 1871 only to be destroyed by a terrible fire in 1910. In recent times, the beautiful structure was meticulously restored and turned into the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, one of Istanbul´s best. Although more modern structures were built next door for the hotel rooms, the most expensive suites are located in the 19th century palace itself. The gardens and the views of the Bosphorus make this palace hotel one of the most beautiful in Istanbul. (Location: Turkey)

Uploaded by clarividencia on 9/25/2011, viewed 3532 times.