KÜÇÜKSU PAVILION

The Küçüksu pavilion (Göksu pavilion) is a summer pavilion located on the Bosporus coast of Küçüksu in the Beykoz district of the Asian side in Istanbul. During the Ottoman era, the Küçüksu region, inhabited since the Byzantine time, was cultivated as one of the Ottoman gardens. Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640) named it "Gümüş Selvi" (silver cypress). During the reign of Sultan Mahmud I (1730-1754), a wooden palace was built for the Sultan on the Bosporus shore of Küçüksu by Divitdâr Emin Mehmed Paşa, who was a grand vizier. This palace was restored during the reign of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) and Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839).

The present pavilion, commissioned by Sultan Abdulmecid I (1823-1861), was built by the architects Garabet Amira Balyan and his son Nigogos Balyan. Completed in 1857, the pavilion consists of three floors including a basement. We can see a plan of a traditional Turkish house in the structure of the pavilion. As in other Ottoman palaces and pavilions built in the 19th century, the Küçüksu pavilion is decorated with European paintings and furniture, crystal chandeliers of Bohemia and Hereke curtains and carpets. Contrary to other 19th century palaces surrounded with high walls, the Küçüksu pavilion is encircled by low iron barriers.

This small pavilion was used by sultans in order to take a rest during their hunting and other excursions. In the beginning of the Republic era, the Küçüksu pavilion was used as a state guesthouse. It was restored in 1944 and opened to the public as a museum. An extensive renovation was implemented in the pavilion in 1992. The Küçüksu pavilion was reopened as a TBMM Palace Museum in 1996.

Reference: TBMM Milli Saraylar

Some selected examples (please click on pictures to enlarge):