A Journey Through History: Exploring the Magnificent Past of Ciragan Palace

FROM THE WIRES...

Istanbul, April 22, 2025 — Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul invites guests on a journey through time with the newly introduced ‘Historical Corridor Tours’, offering an immersive exploration of the palace’s glorious past—captivating those who have seen it and intriguing those who have not.

As the only palace and hotel on the Bosphorus that once belonged to the Ottoman Empire, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul presents exclusive tours showcasing the magnificent stories told within the History Corridor. This corridor, which connects the hotel and palace sections, has been reimaged under the consultation of A. Cagri Baskurt, Ciragan Palace Historical Gallery Curator and Cultural Advisor. With its extensive written and visual archive, the corridor serves as a bridge between the past and the present, offering guests a visually captivating journey through the palace’s history from the 17th century to today.

Guests eager to explore the palace’s rich history can embark on a guided tour to trace the past and witness the grandeur of the Ottoman era. Led by a licensed, professional guide, the tours reveal the deep-rooted history of Ciragan Palace and its many untold stories. This immersive experience not only highlights the palace’s centuries-old elegance but also offers breathtaking views of the Bosphorus. The journey concludes with a special sherbet offering at the Historic Hammam, a section of the palace that has preserved its original authenticity and remains closed to the public, except for this exclusive experience.

Ralph Radtke, General Manager of Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye, shared his thoughts on this exceptional experience: “Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is a historic palace hotel that garners worldwide attention with its unique history. Our primary focus has always been to preserve our legacy and promote our destination with the utmost care, acknowledging our prominent position in the industry. The recent redesign of our hotel rooms, lobby, spa and restaurants seamlessly blends historical textures with modern elegance, reflecting the legacy of Ciragan Palace throughout the property. Building on this transformation, we have created an exclusive historical tour available only to our in-house guests. At Kempinski, we define luxury hospitality as a poetic transformation—offering our guests an unparalleled experience—and we are delighted to invite them on this extraordinary journey that connects the past and present.”Through this exclusive tour, guests of Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul step into the palace’s storied past, unveiling its secrets and experiencing the atmosphere of a bygone era, enriching their stay with a deeper understanding of this historic landmark. The tours are conducted on specific days and times, beginning at the hotel lobby, with participation limited to in-house guests and subject to availability. These tours are complimentary for hotel guests, offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with additional details available in the tour flyer, HERE.

Reservations are coordinated by Kempinski Hotels’ renowned Lady in Red team. For bookings, contact guestrelations.ciraganpalace@kepminski.com or call +90 212-326-4646, or visit https://www.kempinski.com/en/ciragan-palace/overview/services-and-facilities/a-journey-into-history. At the end of the tour, a management representative meets with participants to gather feedback on their accommodation experiences.