The only extant building of “Shipyard Palace” also known as “Aynalıkavak Coastal Palace” -the fourth biggest palace of the Ottoman Empire in İstanbul- is Aynalıkavak Pavilion. Historical documents reveal that the area between the shores of the Golden Horn and Okmeydanı Hill was used by Byzantine Emperors as a promenade and excursion place. Following the conquest of İstanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed (1444-1481) this extensive woodland also attracted Ottoman sultans and because of the Ottoman Shipyard established there, the area was called “Imperial Shipyard Garden”. The first known building inside this Imperial Garden was the pavilion built by the order of Chief Admiral Halil Pasha for Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617) in late 1613.

The Shipyard Palace took its final form with new kiosks, pavilions and buildings added in various periods. One of these new pavilions built inside the large, terraced garden of the palace was Aynalıkavak Pavilion overlooking the Golden Horn where circumcision ceremonies were held for the sons of Sultan Ahmed III (1703-1730). Along with the enlargement of the shipyard, the palace buildings were destroyed one or two at a time until the palace was wholly demolished between the years 1802-1803 except for Aynalıkavak Pavilion.

It is also known as the Privy Chamber Pavilion, the Imperial Garden Pavilion and the Imperial Apartments. The pavilion took its present form during the reign of Sultan Selim III (1789-1807) and was renovated by the order of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839-1861). The pavilion which has adorned the shores of the Golden Horn for nearly three hundred years recalls the life style of the “Tulip Era”. National Palaces took over its management in 1975 and it was opened to the public as a museum-palace in 1984.

Because it is situated on sloping ground, it has two stories facing the sea and one story facing landward. It has a traditional design of 18th century Ottoman palaces as three hall-like rooms located between two Dîvanhânes (the hall where Sultan used to hold meetings with high officials of the state) on both sides.

At one side of the hall-like room, there are three rooms and a Dîvanhâne; on the other side there are two rooms and an entrance hall. The Reception Room has a segmented dome at the top, which is only visible from outside. There is a gilded tughra of Sultan Selim III in its ceiling decoration and above the windows Enderûnî Fâzıl Efendi’s poem of 54 couplets praising Aynalıkavak Pavilion was written in talik calligraphy by Yesârîzâde Efendi.

A poem by Şeyh Galib consisting of 36 couplets praising Sultan Selim III is written in talik calligraphy by Yesârîzâde above the windows of the Privy Chamber where it is presumed that Sultan composed his lyric and fluent tunes. Its ceiling is elegantly decorated with floral and stylized patterns in geometrical order as in the Privy Chamber.

• 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.