Ravaged by fire and then razed by an earthquake, this former royal palace might have seemed an unlikely candidate for restoration. That it was nevertheless carefully reconstructed testifies to the power of its association with Adile Sultan, who donated her summer residence to the government with the stipulation that it be used for the education of girls. After 70 years as a girl's school, the revitalised complex now has a new mission as a cultural and educational centre, with facilities including a ballroom, multipurpose hall, seminar rooms, restaurant, museum and a garden with an 'enchanting view of the Bosphorus'.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture