Dolmabahçe Palace, with its majestic presence along the European coast of the Bosporus, is a jewel of Istanbul. Constructed between 1843 and 1856, this opulent palace was the brainchild of Sultan Abdülmecid I, who sought to bring a modern touch to the Ottoman Empire, mirroring the contemporary European palaces of the time. It served as the administrative center and residence for six Sultans until 1924, and later, it became an important venue for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. The palace's architecture and lavish decorations reflect the zenith of the empire's wealth and aesthetic achievements.