Carved gateway
Stone decoration.
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Ishak Pasha Palace is a semi-ruined Ottoman-era palace and administrative complex on a mountainside about 5 km southeast of the town of Doğubayazıt in Ağrı Province, eastern Turkey, and about 131 km northeast of Van in a straight line. Work on the palace began in 1685 and went on for decades until it was finished in 1784 or 1785. It is named after Ishak Pasha, who completed its harem section according to the inscription on its door. It is one of the few surviving historic Turkish palaces and appeared on the back of the 100 new lira banknote from 2005 to 2009. The palace's reddish-gold stone stands on a high rocky terrace, with domes, a slender minaret and walls decorated with carved stonework, and towering cliffs behind. In front a wide view opens over the Doğubayazıt plain to distant mountains, snow-covered in winter. Visitors enter through the carved gateway, explore the courtyards, halls and harem, and stand on the terrace to look over the plain. Sunset is a highlight; winters are very cold, but the palace under snow is a remarkable sight.
Stone decoration.
Halls and harem.
The Doğubayazıt plain.
Near Doğubayazıt, Ağrı, eastern Turkey
May to October, at sunset.
By taxi from Doğubayazıt.