This splendid Ottoman period Palace stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking Dogubayazit in North Eastern Turkey just across the border from Iran and not far from The Armenian border. 

Construction was started in 1685 by Colak Abdi Pasha the bey of Beyazit Province.  The building of the Palace was continued by his son Ishak Pasha and completed by his grandson Mehet Pasha.  According to the inscription on its door, the Harem section of the Palace was completed in 1784.  During lts glory days the Palace boasted 366 rooms and two courts and included a massive harem, a bath house, servants quarters, apartments, a Mosque, dungeons and a mausoleum! 

The Palace carries off beautifully its mixture of Ottoman, Persian and Armenian architectural styles.  Also the reroofing of important parts of the building using modern and to me quite creative design has added to the beauty and interest of the place while protecting it from the somewhat extreme climate in this part of the world!  Not everybody agrees with my opinion and the Turks have come in for criticism from purists over the restoration. 

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