DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62355#0055
PALACE OF BESHIK-TASH. ]7
PALACE OF BESHIK-TASH.
" The European with the Asian shore
Sprinkled with palaces: the ocean-stream
Here and there studded with a seventy-four;
Sophia's cupola with golden gleam:
The cypress groves : Olympus high and hoar."
Byron.
The new palace of Beshik-Tash, erected by the present Sultan, commands
a noble view of the Propontis; sweeps the Bosphorus through nearly its whole
length ; looks towards Scutari, (the Asian jewel seated at the foot of the dark
mountain-chain of Bulgurlhu-Dagi ;) affords a glimpse of the ancient Chalcedon;
and includes within the range of its magnificent prospect the snow-crowned sum-
mit of Mount Olympus, flashing out in the distance through the clear blue of the
horizon like a huge pearl set in sapphires ; the Serai Bournou, whose imperial
walls enclose what was once a city; and the “ Seven Hills" of glorious Stamboul.
The world can probably produce no similar panorama; and as the traveller
stands on the height above the palace gardens, and looks down upon the heavy
inelegant wooden edifice, protected on the seaward side by a stately colonnade
of white marble, he may well be pardoned should he indulge a regret that this
imperial residence should be so unworthy of its admirable and unequalled site.
During the youth of Sultan Mahmoud, he was induced to consult a celebrated
astrologer, who, among other predictions, foretold, that while he continued to
build palaces, he should be successful in all his undertakings. And it would
appear that he put the most perfect faith in the prophecy, for every pretty bay
in the Bosphorus has its kiosque; and the number of his residences in the
immediate vicinity of the capital, amounts to fifty-seven. The palace of Beshik-
Tash is the last and most extensive of the whole, but decidedly the least
picturesque and elegant. Its Armenian architect was not, however, selected
without due consideration on the part of the Sultan, who was won to decide
on the present plan by the assurance that it was thoroughly European; a fact
which could not be disputed, were the glittering and well-proportioned columns
that support the open peristyle swept away, when this huge pile, which has
PALACE OF BESHIK-TASH.
" The European with the Asian shore
Sprinkled with palaces: the ocean-stream
Here and there studded with a seventy-four;
Sophia's cupola with golden gleam:
The cypress groves : Olympus high and hoar."
Byron.
The new palace of Beshik-Tash, erected by the present Sultan, commands
a noble view of the Propontis; sweeps the Bosphorus through nearly its whole
length ; looks towards Scutari, (the Asian jewel seated at the foot of the dark
mountain-chain of Bulgurlhu-Dagi ;) affords a glimpse of the ancient Chalcedon;
and includes within the range of its magnificent prospect the snow-crowned sum-
mit of Mount Olympus, flashing out in the distance through the clear blue of the
horizon like a huge pearl set in sapphires ; the Serai Bournou, whose imperial
walls enclose what was once a city; and the “ Seven Hills" of glorious Stamboul.
The world can probably produce no similar panorama; and as the traveller
stands on the height above the palace gardens, and looks down upon the heavy
inelegant wooden edifice, protected on the seaward side by a stately colonnade
of white marble, he may well be pardoned should he indulge a regret that this
imperial residence should be so unworthy of its admirable and unequalled site.
During the youth of Sultan Mahmoud, he was induced to consult a celebrated
astrologer, who, among other predictions, foretold, that while he continued to
build palaces, he should be successful in all his undertakings. And it would
appear that he put the most perfect faith in the prophecy, for every pretty bay
in the Bosphorus has its kiosque; and the number of his residences in the
immediate vicinity of the capital, amounts to fifty-seven. The palace of Beshik-
Tash is the last and most extensive of the whole, but decidedly the least
picturesque and elegant. Its Armenian architect was not, however, selected
without due consideration on the part of the Sultan, who was won to decide
on the present plan by the assurance that it was thoroughly European; a fact
which could not be disputed, were the glittering and well-proportioned columns
that support the open peristyle swept away, when this huge pile, which has