Ottoman palace converted into Turkish president's office
ISTANBUL
An interior shot of the Yıldız Palace.
An Ottoman-era palace will serve as a presidential office and museum for President Abdullah Gül once restoration is complete, daily Vatan has reported.The top floors of the Mabeyn Mansion, which is within the compounds of Yıldız Palace, will be used as an office and welcoming room for Gül's guests.
The ground floor, however, will become a museum for visitors.
A detailed restoration process is currently underway in the palace to restore the garden decorations, walls, roof and interior decorations. The project is expected to last until October 2013.
Furniture from other palaces has been requested for use in the interior, and chairs from Topkapı Palace and historic coffee tables from the Archaeology Museum have been sent for placement in the mansion.
Handmade carpets are being woven to be used in every room of the building.
The mansion, the largest building in the palace compound, was built around 1866 and was used by Ottoman rulers to welcome visiting officials.
