Today I escaped the heat of the city and took a stroll through the grounds of yet another former Ottoman palace. Yildiz (Star) Palace was built on what was formerly the garden of the Ciragan Palace (the palace that is now a hotel). Built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the grounds contain not only housing for the Sultan and his family, but also guest housing, a porcelain factory and two prisons.
This lovely, pink building, called the Cadir Pavilion, was once housed political prisoners. Both Cadir and Malta, the other former prison, now house restaurants.
The wooded grounds are now filled with benches, picnic tables and playgrounds. Less crowded than Gulhane park, it still seems to be quite a popular spot for families, school groups and couples. This former Imperial abode has been thoroughly democratized, but there is still the air of royalty about the place. Even the sokak kedis act a little more imperial.
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