Audio GuideKüçüksu Pavilion

On Istanbul’s Asian shore, where sunlight scatters across the Bosphorus, Küçüksu Kasrı stands as a waterfront palace with a colourful history. Originally a simple wooden hunting lodge for Ottoman sultans, it gradually changed over the centuries, reflecting the evolution of Turkish taste and the tides of history.

Erhan Karakaya

In the middle of the nineteenth century, Sultan Abdülmecid the First decided to replace the old lodge with a fine stone pavilion—seeking both beauty and endurance. He entrusted the project to the Balyan family, renowned Armenian architects of the Ottoman era, led by Nigoğos Balyan. The result was a harmonious blend of Neo-Baroque elegance, delicate Rococo details and motifs drawn from Turkish tradition—merging Eastern and Western influences.

Mustafa Çelik

The pavilion rises gracefully over two main floors and a lower ground level. Inside, spacious salons encircle a central hall, adorned with Bohemian crystal chandeliers and Italian marble fireplaces—rooms overlooking the water boast two fireplaces each—intricate parquet flooring, and luxuriant carpets from Hereke. Every ceiling, wall and piece of furniture reveals careful attention to both European flair and Ottoman artistry, with guidance from the French designer Charles Séchan.

Küçüksu Kasrı (Milli Saraylar)

Unlike many palaces, which are hidden behind high walls, Küçüksu opens onto gardens with sweeping Bosphorus views, bounded only by elegant cast iron railings. Pools, terraces, and the gentle breeze together create a tranquil retreat. Sultans would come here seeking rest, for hunting or for grand gatherings, often arriving by boat. Over time, the pavilion welcomed foreign guests and became a film location, drawing international admiration.

After periods of restoration and adaptation, especially during the Republican era, Küçüksu Kasrı found new life as a museum and venue, maintaining the spirit of leisure and creative beauty at the heart of Ottoman Istanbul. Even today, Küçüksu Kasrı, poised by the water’s edge, stands as a vibrant link between royal heritage and modern Turkish identity.