This wooden palace was built by Sultan Mahmut II during
1835 and 1841. Fearing a potential fire, the palace was taken down by Sultan
Abdulmecit in 1855 and the reconstruction was started in 1861. The construction
was completed in 10 years and thereafter the building was used as the “Parliament
Building” until 1910. The feared fire was inevitable and the fire swept down
the palace in the beginning of 1910. Decision was taken to renovate the palace
in 1986 and Yüksel was awarded the relevant contract. On a base area of 43
x 123 m. the brick walls were taken down completely and the remaining walls
of 22 m. were reinforced by shotcreting. Artificial stone concrete consisting
white cement and white calcareous aggregate was used to fill the lime and
sand stones used on the front facade which were degraded due to fire and natural
wear. The walls and 16 columns made of white Marmara marble were renovated
using 700 m3 of white concrete. Fifty of the pink and green pudding and serpentine
columns and all window veils (except 4 intact ones) were replaced by PCC units.
The four imperial staircases (one on each facade) were completely renewed
and 500 m3 of Marmara marble was sculptured into elaborate balustrades and
posts. The “Sultan’s Hamam” which relatively remained intact was partly renewed.
However the 2 domes and 63 skylights were completely renewed. The stonework
of bridge connecting the Palace to “Yıldız Park” which had been ruined, was
restored through artificial stoneworks (special aggregate concretes). The
stoneworks were completely bush hammered for surface cleaning. The scope of
restoration done also included four gates namely “Imperial”, “Harem”, “Sea
Gates”. Restoration consisted of making good of marble stalactides, grooved
marble sills, surface cleaning and repair of cast iron door pannels. The structural
works in the palace was executed in accordance with restoration scheme approved
by “High Council of Antiquities and Palaces” of Turkey. The structure is mainly
of steel, totaling to approximately 900 metric tones.