Ishak Pasha Palace
FAQFrequently asked questions
What kind of palace is this and where is it located?
Yitzhak Pasha Palace is a dilapidated Ottoman palace complex in eastern Turkey, in the Dogubayazit district of Agra province, near the border with Iran. This is one of the few Turkish palaces that have survived to our days.
When was it built?
Colak Abdi Pasha began construction in 1685, and his descendant Yitzhak Pasha completed it in 1784-1785. That is, the palace was built for almost a hundred years - it was not accepted to hurry here.
What is his style?
A mixture of Ottoman, Persian and Armenian traditions with an admixture of Anatolian and northern Mesopotamian motifs. The palace stood on the old Silk Road, so the architecture absorbed the tastes of several cultures at once.
What to see inside?
Two courtyards, a male half (selyamlyk) and a harem, a mosque with a dome, a bathhouse, a bakery, a mausoleum and even a dungeon. It had its own central heating system, and ancient Urartian rock tombs were found nearby.
Is it possible to get there and what else is interesting about it?
The palace is open to visitors for a fee; in 2004-2011, it was restored and covered with protective canopies made of glass and wood. It was on the Turkish 100 lira banknote and since 2000 has been on the preliminary list of UNESCO World Heritage.
