30 Sept, 2012
Most of our group were excited as we continued our journey through the barren, volcanic countryside towards our next tourist stop on the way back to Dogubeyazit. What a surprise we had when we first set eyes on the stunning Ishak Pasha Palace!
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| Ishak Pasha Palace in the distance. |
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Some of our group in the Inner courtyard.
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Ishak Pasha Palace is a semi-ruined palace and administrative complex that was built between 1685 and 1784 for Colak Abdi Pasha, the Bey (chieftain) of Beyazit province in Eastern Anatolia. His grandson, Ishak Pasha, a Kurdish warrior, completed the Harem section in 1784. (Check out Ishak Pasha's armoury on Google, it is amazing).
The palace was built in “Lale Devri” (Tulip Period) and is a combination of Ottoman, Persian, Georgian, Armenian and Seljuk architectural styles. There are very few examples of the historical Turkish palaces still existing today. Therefore, Ishak Pasha Palace is a major tourist attraction that was also depicted on the reverse of the Turkish 100 lira banknote of 2005-2009. It is absolutely exquisite!
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| Renovations are still in progress. |
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| Our Guide explaining the details of the Palace |
The intricate details of the complex are remarkable.
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| Note the pineapple relief. |
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| We listened intently. |
Although the exterior was a photo opportunity feast, the interior and the Harem were more difficult to photograph as they were covered with a glass roof to protect the more precious areas.
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| Part of the Harem |
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| This is the loo! |
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| Tom just wouldn't stay in the dungeon! |
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| Part of the cavernous underground area. |
Very near the Palace there is a modern mosque and on the hillside a tomb and ruined fortress which may date from 13th to 7th centuries BC.
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| Mosque and impressive fortress walls. |
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| Would you like to live here? |
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| Dogubayazit |
There were also excellent views of the bleak countryside, as well as, Dogubayazıt where we were to have lunch before travelling on to Kars in north eastern Turkey.
We would certainly recommend a visit to Ishak Pasha Palace as it was a highlight of our visit to this area in Eastern Anatolia.
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