Aynalıkavak Pavilion
29 Kasım 2024

Aynalıkavak Pavilion

The building, which has been adorning the shores of the Golden Horn since the 17th century and is known today as Aynalıkavak Pavilion, is the only surviving example from the group of buildings known as "Aynalıkavak Palace" or "Tersane Palace" during the Ottoman Empire Period. From historical sources, it is understood that the region was a resting place for emperors during the Byzantine Period. After the conquest of Istanbul by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror (1444-1481), this large grove, which attracted the attention of the Ottoman sultans, began to be known as the "Tersane Hasbahçe" because of the Ottoman Shipyard established in the region.

The history of the first construction in Hasbahçe dates back to the period of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, and the first pavilion known to have been built here dates back to the period of Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617). This group of buildings, which developed with the mansions built by the sultans throughout the historical process and is known as the "Tersane Palace"; It was also called “Aynalıkavak Palace” starting from the 17th century.

Aynalıkavak Kasrı


It is located within the palace and was built by Sultan III. Aynalıkavak Pavilion, which is thought to have been built during the reign of Ahmed (1703-1730), was built by Sultan III. It was reorganized after a major repair during the reign of Selim (1789-1807) and gained its current appearance. Aynalıkavak Pavilion, which is the only structure that has survived from earlier periods among the structures of the National Palaces, which mainly consist of 19th century palaces, mansions and pavilions, is extremely privileged with its traditional architecture and decoration features. In a frieze that goes over the windows in the Dîvânhâne and Composition Room, there is a picture of the well-known poets of the period, Şeyh Galib and Enderûnî Fâzıl, depicting the pavilion and III. His poems praising Selim were written in ta'lik calligraphy by calligrapher Mehmed Esad El Yesari. The mansion, which is one of the last and interesting buildings of Ottoman classical architecture with its two-storey mass on the sea side and a single storey mass on the land side; It reflects the taste of its age in terms of decoration, especially the composer Sultan III. It contains many elements of the culture of the Selim period. The porticoed skylights, wide eaves roofs, built-in cedar arrangements in the interior decoration, and barbecues that constitute the traditional form of heating, which are characteristic of this period, display the appearance of a past life style that has now disappeared.


The lower floor of Aynalıkavak Pavilion, whose restoration and furnishing works were completed and opened to visitors on November 5, 2010, was built by Sultan III. In accordance with Selim's artistic and musical personality, it was turned into a museum where historical Turkish instruments are exhibited.

 

Aynalıkavak Kasrı

 



Source Türkiye Culture Portal History of Istanbul