"Plate With A View: Tugra, Istanbul
By Adrian Mourby
Saturday, 15 November 2008
In the 19th century, the Bosphorus – which divides Europe and Asia – became a great place to build your palace if your were a relative or favourite of the Ottoman emperor. Only a few of these marble pleasure domes exist today and the neo-baroque Ciragan palace is one of the remaining three. It was designed by the great Armenian architect Nigogayos Balyan and completed by his sons in 1872. This was to be the new home of Sultan Abdul Aziz, the painter-emperor, who lived here until he was deposed in 1876. Monumental gates and a bridge connected the Ciragan to the older Yildiz Palace, where the women of the harem lived. "
More:Plate With A View: Tugra, Istanbul - Places to eat, Hotels - The Independent
