Küçüksu Kasri

The settlement history of the area where Küçüksu Kasrı is located, in the area between the Küçüksu and Göksu streams on the Bosphorus, goes back to the Byzantine Period. It is known that Küçüksu and its surroundings, one of the sultan’s private gardens during the Ottoman Period, were greatly loved by Sultan IV. Murad (1623-1640), who gave this place the name “Gümüş Selvi.” In the region, referred to in various sources as “Bağçe-i Göksu” starting from the 17th century, intensive construction is observed especially from the 18th century onward. During the reign of Sultan I. Mahmud (1730-1754), Divitdâr Emin Mehmed Paşa had a two-storey wooden palace built on the seashore of this Hasbahçe for the sultan, and this structure was repaired and used during the reigns of Sultan III. Selim (1789-1807) and Sultan II. Mahmud (1808-1839) as well.

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The reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861) was especially the years when Western forms were preferred in palace and pavilion architecture. As with the Dolmabahçe and Ihlamur buildings, Sultan Abdülmecid had the old wooden structure in the area where Küçüksu Kasrı is located demolished and had the present pavilion built in its place. Completed in 1857, Küçüksu Kasrı was built on an area of 15 x 27 metres with masonry technique and as a masonry structure. The pavilion, which has three storeys including the basement, had its basement floor, pantry and kitchen reserved for servants, while the other floors were arranged in the form of four rooms opening onto a central space. With this feature, the structure, reflecting the traditional Turkish House plan type, has the character of a “Biniş Kasrı,” generally used for resting and hunting purposes. Unlike other state palace structures, it is surrounded not by high walls but by elegant iron railings made with casting technique and having gates on four sides.

During the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861-1876), the façade decorations were revised and enriched. Western decorative motifs were used on the lively sea façade adorned with reliefs, in its small fountain pool leaning against this façade, and on its stairs. The rooms and halls were furnished with valuable works of art, and furniture ordered from Europe was included. It is known that Küçüksu Kasrı, which has the character of a rich art museum with its ceilings decorated with plaster reliefs and painted ornamentation, its fireplaces made of Italian marbles in different colours and forms each resembling a fireplace museum, its parquet floors in each room with different decoration and fine workmanship, its European-style furniture, carpets and paintings, was used for a time as a state guesthouse during the Republican Period. With a comprehensive restoration project launched in 1992, Küçüksu Kasrı was prevented from sliding into the sea and was reopened to visitors in 1996 as a museum-palace. In order to restore the pier right next to the pavilion, the fountain square and the original garden to a recreation identity where the public can have fun and relax as in the past, cafeteria services are provided to visitors around the fountain, and the expanded quay can be allocated for receptions of a national or international nature.

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Source: İstanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism Address: Anadolu Hisarı Üsküdar 34810