The Royal Hereke Factory was built in the town of Hereke on the northern coast of the Gulf of İzmit in 1843 in order to produce furnishing fabrics and curtains for the new palaces that were being constructed at that period. The largest silk weaving factory ever built in the Ottoman Empire, the factory began production in 1845, using jacquard looms imported from France and employing French designers. During the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II carpet weaving shops were added to the factory, so founding the Hereke carpet weaving tradition that became internationally renowned. A weaving shop known as the Hereke Weaving Shop was also established at Dolmabahçe Palace at this time as an offshoot of the main factory.

The finest Hereke Factory fabrics and carpets were used to furnish the royal palaces, pavilions and kiosks, which in a sense served as display cases for Ottoman industry. These products were also presented as gifts to members of foreign ruling families and so made their way into European palaces.

Under the Turkish Republic, Hereke Carpet and Silk Fabric Weaving Factory continued to operate as a subsidiary of the state-owned Sümerbank corporation until 1995, when under the Privatisation Act the factory was transferred to the Department of National Palaces. Today this museum-factory produces Hereke fabrics with traditional designs, using templates based on antique Hereke fabric patterns made with the assistance of National Palaces researchers. By this means fabrics with the original Ottoman period designs whose templates had been lost were reproduced for renovation work at the palaces.

The wooden pavilion next to the factory is a prefabricated building produced at Yıldız Palace for the state visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II. This museum-pavilion, which has reception rooms facing both the landward and seaward sides, is open to the public.

• Museum Card is valid in the palaces, kiosks, pavillions,museums, historical factories affiliated to the Presidency of National Palaces with the exceptions below:
  • Museum Card is not valid in Topkapı Palace Harem and Hagia Irene sections, Dolmabahçe Selamlık section, Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum, Küçüksu Pavillion Picnic area.
  • Discounted Selamlık ticket service is offered for the local Museum Card holders who want to visit the Selamlık section of Dolmabahçe Palace.
• Discounted Selamlık ticket service is offered for the local Museum Card holders who want to visit the Selamlık section of Dolmabahçe Palace.
  • Topkapı Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 day from the date of purchase.
  • Dolmabahçe Palace Combined Tickets are valid for 1 month from the date of purchase. This period is valid for use in different places. The same place can be visited once only in that month.
• Palaces, Kiosks, Pavillions, Museums and Historical Factories are free for domestic- foreign visitors aged 0-6.
• Discounted ticket service is offered for the students between the ages of 07-25 who present their student ID card.
  • Topkapı Palace is free for TR and TRNC citizens under the age of 18. Discounted ticket service is offered at Topkapı Palace for TR and TRNC citizens between 18-25 years. (25 Included)
  • Foreign students pay twice the price of the discounted ticket.
  • Foreign students aged 12-25 are requested to present their International Student Identity Card (ISIC: International Student Identity Card) concretely.
• National Palaces Glass and Crystal Museum is free for domestic-foreign visitors under the age of 12.
• 20% Discount is applied to the tour companies that bring 20 or more visitors to the palaces, kiosks, pavillions,museums, historical factories affiliated to the Presidency of National Palaces.
• Thematic Tours are held with 3 or more full fare ticket.