text: The Dolma-bahce Palace ( Dolmabahce Saraye ; Dolmabahce Cadessi , tel . 212 / 258-5544 ) , finished in 1853 , was intended as a bold statement of the sultan 's faith in the future of his empire , but instead it turned out to be a monument to folly and extravagance .
  
  ###
  
  The palace is viewed by many as a large waste of money , even when it was built .