Gulkhana Complex

The Chalkidnoi Castle and Gulkhana palace complex is a collection of castles, palaces, villas, and pavillions located in the Gulkhana suburb of Alexandropolis. The very recognizable structure is notable for its long association with the Mesogeian Imperial family, and for its medieval architecture. The original Chalkidnoi Castle was constructed in the 6th century AD by Emperor Peroz V.

In the 11th century Michael XII made the castle his main residence with the remaining members of the Chalkidinos and later Megabagiaridas dynasties continuing to make use of the palace centuries later. The core design of Michael XII's castle was expanded by Zoe II and Manuel V in the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle survived the disastrous wars or religion and civil wars of the 17th century. During the long reign of Constantine XV the palace was lavishly furnished with its interiors being given a baroque design. During the mid 18th century it suffered neglect, due to successive monarchs favoring other residences.

After decades of neglect, the Chalkidinoi castle was restored at a colossal expense by Theodora II, who was also responsible for constructing the Gulkhana (flower house) palace, which featured an interiors in the Rococo, Gothic, and Baroque styles in addition to more traditional Mesogeian styles.

During the joint rule of Theodora III and Michael XIV during the mid 19th century the castle and palace complex was the centre for lavish royal celebrations.

Presently the castle is a major tourist and the favored residence of the Empress Elena II.

Architecture

The Chalkidinoi Castle sits on a 52.5-square-kilometres (13,000-acre) wooded park and game reserve maintained with deer.

Complex

Chalkidinoi Castle

The Chalkidioi Castle was originally built in the 5th century by Leo II who constructed it to serve as a defensive fortification against attacks from the north of the capital of Alexandropolis. It was also built on what was once a large forest now known as the Gulkhana Imperial Park. Although the Great Palace at Alexandropolis has continued to serve as the official residence of the Mesogeian monarchs ever since its founding the castle and palaces at Gulkhana has been used extensively.

Gulkhana Palace

The Gulkhana palace is the youngest and most elaborate of the palace complexes that bears its name. The Gulkhana palace was constructed in the 1740s by Empress Theodora II who funished it lavishly.

By the 19th century, the Gulkhana palace and to a lesser extent the ancient Chalkidnoi castle were used frequently, with the palace being the site of a series of galas and theatrical spectacles used to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of Theodora III and Michael XIV in 1859.

The future Constantine XXI was born in the palace in 1869, with the entire Imperial family being present at the birth as well as high-ranking members of the Imperial court. During Constantine XXI's reign, the emperor and is family chose to reside at Gulkhana practically abandoning the Imperial palace at Alexandropolis for an informal life at the palace.

Bosphoros Palace

Originally a simple pavillion complex constructed as the dower residence for past Empress Dowagers, it is locate at one end of the Gulkhana imperial park not far from the larger and more elaborate Gulkhana Palace and the medieval Chalkidinoi castle.

The original palace was gifted to Empress Placeholder by her husband Manuel V in 1520. Empress Placeholder continued to reside in the palace after her husband's death in 1539, with it serving as her dower residence until her death years later in 1550. The palace and its grounds were later acquired by the next Empress Dowager PLACEHOLDER, who lived there until her death in 1576. Manuel VI's four senior wives took up residence in the palace residing there until the last of them died in 1632.

At that point the Bosphoros palace was willed to the state, but it fell into disuse until 1654, the year after Emperor Constantine XIV died. The Synedrion gifted the palace to the Empress Dowager Athanasia in 1654 who was serving as regent for her young son Constantine XV.

The palace was destroyed in a horrible fire that next year, and the Empress dowager ordered the palace to be reconstructed, with the palace being designed by the court architect PLACEHOLDER and his son. The rebuilt palace was finished in 1668. The Empress dowager used the palace as a summer residence until her death in 1673; she left the grounds and the estate to her son who used it for hunting.

Empress Iris (a princess of Messenia), the chief wife of Constantine XV, resided here regularly until her death in 1709. After her death it would not be inhabited for decades until Empress Theodora II gifted the palace to her son Constantine XVII, when he ascended to the throne as joint-monarch in 1750. Constantine XVII resided here with his large family until his death in 1762 after which time the palace and his title as co-ruler passed to his eldest son Constantine XVIII, then a boy of nine years.

Upon the death of his grandmother in 1767, Constantine XVIII became sole Emperor and abandoned the palace for the larger Chalkidinoi Castle and Gulkhana Palace located on the other side of the park. Constantine XIX gifted the Bosphoros Palace to his brother the future Heraclius VIII as summer residence; the palace eventually became the favored residence of Heraclius VIII's and his family.