On a plateau overlooking Dogubeyazit, the last Turkish town before you hit the Iranian border, sits a ruined Ottoman palace. Still grand despite the wreckage, Ishak Pasha Palace was built from 1685 to 1784. Multiple generations of the Pasha family contributed to its construction. Kicking off with Colak Pasha in 1685 and his grandson Mehmet Pasha adding the finishing details in 1784.
This is the site we wanted to see, Ishak Paşa Sarayı. And we wanted to see it because of its location. We’ve seen so many photos of it sitting on the mountainside overlooking the plains and the town of Doğubeyazit below and mount Ararat looming in the distance.
And now here we are and the camera goes into overdrive. Inside the walls, the palace feels so calm and peaceful. Entrance fee is just 5TL or 60p and thats what we love about Turkey, the places of interest are all affordable. There was just a handful of visitors when we arrived so it was perfectly easy to lose yourself in the architecture (click to enlarge photo).
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- Entrance
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- Doorway Detail
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- Modern roof
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- Dungeons
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- Escape!
The palace is named for Ishak Pasha, son of Colak, who also pitched in with the bricklaying. During its glory days, the 366-room palace boasted two courts, a harem, a bath house, servant stations, apartments, a mosque, dungeons and a mausoleum.
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- Detail
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- Column
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- Servant Qtr
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- Grain Room
The decline of the Ottoman Empire brought the abandonment of Ishak Pasha Palace, but its ruins retain a sense of magnificence, enhanced by the hilltop location. Over the last few decades, the Turkish government has been conducting restoration work on the palace, making a few controversial choices along the way. Mainly the glass roofs with orange beams but we personally didn’t find them too bad. Of course they are not in keeping with Ottoman style but they protect the building without detracting from the original structure.
Courtyard
The palace layout Is typically Ottoman Turkish, comprising inner and outer courts, servant and guard stations and quarters, a mosque, kitchens, Turkish bath, a harem and court rooms. Similar in style to the Palace in Istanbul just on a smaller scale. The mosques dome is attractive and inside it is equally beautiful with simple but effective detail. Much of the original decorative work has been preserved in the complex.
Harem & Ceremonial Hall
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- Climbing high
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- Fort in rockface
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- Mosque & Fort
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- Mosque
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- View over to palace
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- View from fort
How did we get here? Well, we walked…it took 10 minutes from our parking spot!
In the evening, the skies darken and after an eerie period of silence the heavens open. There is nothing to do but sit tight and listen to the rain thrash our roof. A early night, as tomorrow we head off in search of Noah’s Ark.
Your pictures are amazing.
I’m so jealous but I still need to work for a few years x
What an amazing place to visit. It looks magical
Oh it is Hilary x
These have to be my favourite set of photos from any of yr travels guys. you’ve raised the bar so high (Outstanding). What camera do you use?
How does Turkey feel so far ? Have you any plans to go to Istanbul?
Thanks so much Ian. Absolutely loving it and feels great apart from the odd city. We managed to make Istanbul our first port of call, brill
Fascinating looking place. Great photos as always.
Amazing location Tim
Wonderful photos once again. I love the pale honey colour of the palace. I think ruins like that are so atmospheric.
Thanks Patricia, love the colours especially at sunset
Nothing is insurMOUNTable even when in a place like ARARAT. Try to remember even soldiers are human though at times thier job may be challenging, many are there not by choice but conscription.
Kranky and a bit of jobsworth may be but they are all someone’s child and as curious about the strange English travellers as you are them.
Bet if you asked them how to sort your tyre problem they would have been happy to oblige.
We have found them to be absolutely helpful and supportive. But travelling in a military area does take some getting used to.
Loving your blog and will be following in your foitsteps soon
Wow, again.
Looks as if you are not having any trouble finding water with that laundry drying! Are there still military checkpoints where you are now?
How hot is it when you have to leave them in the van? … thinking about our two who sit on the dash board to wait for us!
Eater is so easy to find and yes, there are military check points all around the area. They don’t seem half as bad now we are used to them just a wee it alien at first.
Temp wise it is fine here. Lovely warm temp during the day and cool in the evening but we are +2000m