Ishakpasha PalacePlaces to Visit in Agri

The Ishak Pasha Palace is an impressive architectural complex and one of the finest examples of 18th-century Ottoman architecture. Located on a hillside near the Doğubeyazıt District, it ranks as the second most significant administrative complex in Istanbul after the Topkapı Palace. The palace was built in 1784 according to the Islamic calendar, as evidenced by an inscription found above the Harem Section.

Although the palace is situated on a steep slope, there is a level area on one side that provides entry through a door located on its narrowest facade. Due to its age, the palace’s main entrance lacks strong defensive features, leaving it susceptible to attacks. The building displays a clean stone finish and an ancient architectural style typical of historic Turkish structures. The palace is divided into several distinct sections, each showcasing its own architectural character. These include the Exterior Facades, First and Second Courtyards, Men's Quarters (Selamlık), Mosque, Soup Kitchen (Darüzziyafe), Bathhouse, Harem Section, Ceremonial Hall, Arch Gates, Panther Rooms, Ammunition Storage, Mausoleum, Bakery, Dungeons, and Interior Elements such as doors, windows, and cupboards.

Visitors to the Ishak Pasha Palace are often impressed by its magnificent design and commanding position. While it may not offer strong defensive capabilities compared to other fortifications, its architectural beauty and historical importance continue to draw tourists from across the globe.

The eastern gateway of the Ishak Pasha Palace features stunning Seljuk artistry with detailed reliefs and stone carvings. The palace includes two courtyards—one known as the "public" courtyard and the other as the "enslaved" courtyard—surrounded by buildings connected by corridors that separate the male and female sections. In one corner stands a mosque, adjacent to a mausoleum located at the far end, with a passage leading out to the harem courtyard behind red-painted sealed doors.

The mausoleum, built in the traditional Seljuk "kümbet" architectural style, is found within the second courtyard and constructed from finely cut stone. It is an octagonal, two-story building adorned with exterior pillars featuring geometric patterns. This mausoleum contains the tombs of Çolak Abdi Pasha, İshak Pasha, and their close family members.

The palace spans two floors, each containing 366 rooms, all equipped with stone fireplaces and a central heating system. Its grand reception hall measures 30 meters by 3 meters (100 feet by 10 feet), boasting stone walls and floors decorated with intricate Turkish calligraphy verses from the Koran. Among these inscriptions is a verse honoring İshak Pasha’s efforts to transform the world into a place of kindness, commemorated by the date 1199 in the Islamic calendar, corresponding to 1784 in the Gregorian calendar.

The Ishak Pasha Palace stands as a masterpiece of architectural ingenuity and skilled craftsmanship, with every room showcasing distinct features. Although surrounded today by a barren valley, the palace’s mystique and the many legends linked to it enhance its grandeur.