PAVILIONS

From an overall aspect, pavilions were decorative, elegant structures generally found in a garden.

First situated within the aegis of the sultan's palaces, these structures were subsequently commissioned and used by people who held important posts such as grand viziers. pashas and statesmen, as well as wealthy people of the era.

Pavilions, Y?ld?z Park

Topkapi and Y?ld?z Palaces were comprised of several pavilions. A list dating back to the time of Sultan Ahmed III shows that there were ten pavilions at ?sk?dar Palace and six pavilions at Kandilli Palace. Most of the time, these structures would be named according to their functions or their position in the group of structures they were associated with, such as ?ftariye, ?ardak, Mehtabiye. During subsequent periods, it is also seen that these fine structures were named after their owners who were statesmen or rich personalities, who had them built. Spacious districts of the era such as ?aml?ca, Erenk?y and G?ztepe as well as the slopes of the Bosphorus are full of several examples of these pavilions.

Galip Abdulmecit Efendi Pavilion

It is seen that pavilions constructed during the time from the Conqueror to Sultan Murad IV were heavy, durable structures. Constructed from ashlar block, these structures were rather expense and were rarely torn down and rebuilt when they became ruinous. Having added his own thinking towards the making of pavilions, Sultan Mehmed IV ushered in a new era which saw the accelerated construction of such pavilions. Contrary to the heavy stone block buildings, the construction of light structures using the filling or stacking technique had begun during this period. Fond of hunting, the sultan commissioned the construction of several pavilions in Edirne while his son, Sultan Ahmed III preferred Istanbul for his pavilions. With the technique used at the time, construction of a pavilion was reduced to just a few weeks. One of the history writers of the era, Tayyarzade Ata recorded that 120 pavilions were constructed during this period. While several pavilions were also built during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I, a slowdown in construction was experienced until the reign of Selim III, when such works were resumed. It is observed that pavilions were constructed from ashlar block during the reign of Sultan Abd?lmecid as well as that of his successor, Abd?laziz. In particular, Sultan Abd?laziz's fear of fire was the reason for the pavilions to be built from ashlar block during this era, which also saw the tearing down of old wooden pavilions and the construction of stone ashlar structures in their place.

"Dating back to 1472, this is the oldest existing pavilion in Istanbul. the large semi-courtyard found in the middle of the entrance Ja?ade of the Seljuk-influenced pavilion is clad entirely in mosaic tiles. A s?l?s-style epigraph embossed in white over navy blue winds around the inside of the semi-courtyard."

"The ?inili Pavilion was constructed the reign of Sultan Mehmed II."

"The Sar? Pavilion is situated in the Beylerbeyi Palace garden. Comprised of two-stories constructed over a basement floor, the ashlar block pavilion features architectural similarities to the palace's main building, which was built during the same era. The Caml? Pavilion at Dolmabah?e Palace features some dazzling d?cor."

There were four pavilions, two of which were selaml?k and two harem sections that comprised the Aynal?kavak Palace when it was first built. With the exception of the Has Oda Pavilion, which is known as Aynal?kavak Pavilion today, the other pavilions are no longer extant. Constructed in Ka??thane during the Tulip Era next to the pool at S?dab?d Palace, the Kasr-1 Ni?ad Pavilion, as several other pavilions and kiosks built together in the region were razed to the ground during the bloody Patrona Halil Revolt of 1730. The ?a?layan Pavilion held out until the early-20th century and can only be seen in paintings today.

Starting from the 19th century onwards, interest had shifted from the Golden Horn, which was reduced into rubble during the bloody riots, to the shores of the Bosphorus. While the Be?ikta? region was suddenly enlivened by the Be?ikta? Palace, several pavilions were also constructed in its immediate vicinity. It is known that Sultan Mahmud I commissioned the Bay?ld?m Pavilion to be built in the Bay?ld?m Woods situated in the same district at a much earlier period. This pavilion was also referred to as the 'Iftar Pavilion' because the sultan broke his Ramadan fast there several times in 1748. Sultan Osman III also showed interest in this two-story pavilion, adding a belvedere-like section on top. The pavilion was subsequently reconstructed after a fire devastated it in 1755 and was used until the late-18th century.

Hosting the wedding ceremonies of Sultan Mahmud II's daughter, Saliha Sultan to Tophane Marshal Halil R?fat Pasha in 1894 and Mihrimah Sultan to Grand Admiral Mehmed Sait Pasha the following year, it was torn down along with the Be?ikta? Palaces while Dolmabah?e Palace was under construction.

The oldest surviving pavilion in Istanbul is the ?inili Pavilion, which was built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II. This fine pavilion of Topkapi Palace which was a complex of pavilions, used to be called "S?r?a Palace'. Situated on the premises of today's Istanbul Archaeology Museums, this pavilion was one of the first structures constructed within the Protective Sultanate Walls. Bearing more Seljuk architectural influences than Ottoman, the two-story ashlar block pavilion dates back to the year 1472. The second floor is positioned over supporting columns and is accessed via a marble staircase. The front fa?ade is ornamented with columns and opens outward like a portico with pointed arches from end to end. The large semi-courtyard found in the middle of the pavilion's entry fa?ade is clad entirely with mosaic tiles, conveying a resemblance to the large semi-courtyard of the S?r?ali Madrasah in Konya. These tiles also continue in the corners in the form of bordering. The semi-courtyard features an inscription in the s?l?s calligraphy style written in white over a dark blue background.

The interior of the pavilion is comprised of four semi-courtyards that open into a large, domed middle chamber with domed rooms of the same size in each corner. The four domes are lined up back-to-back in a center axis; the final domed room features a five-cornered protrusion. One can also see palmette and geometric embellishments next to the porcelain tile room d?cor. Devastated in a fire during the reign of Sultan Abd?lhamid I, the portico of the pavilion was reconstructed. Another of the Topkapi Palace pavilions is Yal? Pavilion, which possessed the richest d?cor of the time. Dated back to 1592, the pavilion was built at the place where the ceremony of kissing the hem of the admirals prior to the fleet's campaign expedition was held. Possessing a plan with wide overhanging eaves leaning against supports and a single knob in a four corner covering, the pavilion was subject to a thorough renovation during the reign of Sultan Mahmud I in 1747. It was torn down in 1861 when the expenditure needed for fresh repairs was considered excessive. A structure was recently constructed at the site of the pavilion which features a similar style to the original.

Another pavilion situated on a section of palace shoreline property is Sepet?iler Pavilion, which dates back to the year 1643. According to a rumor, the two-story pavilion took its name from basket weavers, who were under the subservience of Sultan Ibrahim and who made a major contribution to the construction of the pavilion. Subject to a thorough renovation during the reign of Mahmud I, the pavilion took on its current appearance in the early-19th century. Situated at the entrance of G?lhane Park, Alay Pavilion dates to the second half of the 19th century. Found on top of a tower, the pavilion is located directly across the Sublime Porte. It is believed to have built over another pavilion found here that Sultan Mahmud II commissioned Kirkor Amira Balyan between 1810-19. The Alay Pavilion was constructed in order for the sultan to view the regiments parading on the avenue. In this context, all the facades of the structure were constructed with windows. The pavilion features servants rooms on the rear and side facades, and has a single room. Featuring service rooms on the rear and side facades, the pavilion has a single living room, which is reached via a wide ramp path. A lead cone with onion-shaped segments covers the pavilion, which is currently utilized by the Ministry of Culture.

Another example of a surviving historical pavilion is that of the Siyavu? Pasha Pavilion, which dates back to 1571. Situated on the Old K???k?ekmece Road, the pavilion seems to have lost its connection with the past due to the highly concentrated settlements in the immediate vicinity. Situated in the middle of a pool, this pavilion is also referred to the 'Havuzlu Pavilion'. This rectangular-plan pavilion was constructed from sandstone blocks; it is comprised of a large salon, a small room next to that and an overhead mezzanine floor, which is accessed from outside via a stone staircase. Although the architect of the pavilion is unknown, it was attributed to the great architect of the era, Sinan.

Emirgan Pavilions

One of the oldest surviving pavilions on the Asian side is the Vahideddin Pavilion, which is perched high on the hillside above ?engelk?y. Referred to by the name of Sultan Vahideddin, this pavilion was built when he was inspired by a painting of a pavilion that the Russian Czar gave to his brother Sultan Abd?lhamid II during a visit at Y?ld?z Palace. While the pavilion's plan was drafted by the architect Alexandre Vallaury, Sultan Vahideddin, who was quite infatuated with this pavilion, divided up its interior spaces. In 1984, it was registered as an immovable cultural asset under conservation.

The 19a-century Alay Pavilion was constructed at the entrance of G?lhane Park in order for the sultan to view regiments parading on the avenue. Sepet?iler Pavilion was constructed along the edge of the palace land along the seashore during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim. Dating back to 1643, the pavilion was renewed during various periods; it acquired its current appearance in the early 19 century.