Audio GuideIhlamur Palace

Tucked between Beşiktaş and Nişantaşı in Istanbul, Ihlamur Kasrı, known in English as the Linden Pavilion, invites visitors to step into the elegant world of Ottoman royalty from almost two centuries ago. Sheltered beneath the shade of ancient linden and magnolia trees, this former summer palace still exudes a quiet grace, hidden from the city's bustle by high stone walls.

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The history of Ihlamur Kasrı stretches back nearly three centuries. In the early eighteenth century, this land was a beloved green space known as Ihlamur Mesiresi. At that time, it served as a favourite retreat for Ottoman sultans, especially during hunting excursions or when seeking a place for calm reflection. Its status rose in the middle of the nineteenth century, when Sultan Abdülmecid the First, drawing inspiration from European fashions of the time, asked the architect Nigoğos Balyan to design two new pavilions.

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Today, these are called the Merasim Köşkü and the Maiyet Köşkü. The Merasim Köşkü, or Ceremonial Pavilion, impresses with its sweeping stone steps, expansive windows, and intricate baroque details. Inside, you will find sparkling chandeliers above European furnishings and Turkish carpets, while hand-carved ornamentation and painted ceilings display a lively blend of Western and Ottoman design. This pavilion was once the scene of royal receptions and grand celebrations.

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Not far away, within the gardens, stands the Maiyet Köşkü. More understated yet graceful, it features twin staircases and delicate decoration, serving as the private living quarters for the sultan's family and companions. The light-filled rooms, adorned in soothing tones and gentle motifs, offered a tranquil haven away from life at court.

Nigoğos Balyan, the architect, was a member of a family renowned for shaping Istanbul's skyline, including the iconic Ortaköy Mosque. His work at Ihlamur Kasrı marks a turning point, blending European baroque influences with Ottoman traditions and reflecting a time when the empire was opening itself to new ideas and aesthetics.

Yet the gardens themselves are just as significant as the architecture. Dotted with ponds and winding paths, they are filled with the fragrance of linden blossom, a nod to centuries-old traditions of leisure when sultans and poets alike would amble among the trees. In the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz, wrestling matches and animal contests were even held here to amuse royal guests. One particularly memorable occasion occurred in the early twentieth century, when the kings of Bulgaria and Serbia were received in these gardens, underlining Ihlamur Kasrı's international stature.

After the end of the Ottoman era, the estate became a museum and a public space. Today, visitors can pause for a cool drink at the garden café or take part in special events amidst this wealth of history. Ihlamur Kasrı's seamless combination of nature, art, and culture continues to fascinate, offering a tranquil sanctuary and a glimpse into a splendid imperial past.