Istanbul, Türkiye

The photos in this slideshow were taken by Michael Pietrusewsky while on a visit to Istanbul, Türkiye on September 26-28 & October 11-13, 2025. Some of the places visited were courtesy of Insight Vacations while others were on self-guided walks in the city.

In addition to many mosques located throughout the city this slide show features the Dolmabahçe Palace, cruise along the Bosporus, Yildiz Palace and park, and more.

Dolmabahçe Palace is a 19th-century imperial palace located in Istanbul, Türkiye, along the European shore of the Bosporus, which served as the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and from 1909 to 1922. Ordered by the empire's 31st sultan, Abdülmecid I, Dolmabahçe Palace was and built between the years 1843 and 1856. The design contains eclectic elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, blended with traditional Ottoman architecture. Photos of the main palace with it elaborate chandeliers were not allowed.

Waterside mansions, called yalis, can be seen along both the Asian and European sides of the Bosphorus.

Yıldız Park, located in Yıldız quarter between the Yıldız and Çırağan palaces, is a historical, urban park in Istanbul, Türkiye, one of the largest public parks in Istanbul.

Yıldız Palace is a vast complex of former imperial Ottoman pavilions and villas in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Türkiye, built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was used as a residence by the sultan and his court in the late 19th century.

Music track: “Arabic Muslim Islamic Background Music” by Ikoliks from Pixabay Music
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