MASLAK PALACE

The Maslak Palaces, built by Sultan Abdülaziz in the 1860s, were allocated to his nephew, Prince Abdülhamid Efendi, by the Sultan in 1868. Named after the water distribution reservoirs called "Maslak" located in the area at the time to supply water to the city, the palaces served as the residence of the 34th Ottoman Sultan, Abdülhamid II, and his family during both his time as a prince and his reign. In this place, where he would be invited to the throne in 1876, Prince Abdülhamid Efendi, who engaged in horse breeding, animal husbandry, and agricultural activities, purchased surrounding lands, transforming the area into a large farm. During his reign, this farm was known as the Maslak Imperial Farm. During his time at Maslak Farm, the prince led a modest life with his family and children. Memories and records indicate that he lived among the people, gave music lessons to his children, wrote poems and composed music, and often worked in his own carpentry workshop. The mansions, which were used as a military sanatorium between 1937 and 1982 during the Republican era, have served as a public museum house under the National Palaces Directorate since their restoration in 1984.