Aynalikavak Palace

Experience Lost History at Aynalikavak Palace

Istanbul is packed with palaces and buildings of opulence, but most of them come with a hefty entrance fee and a rather large queue at the door. If you don’t have the cash for major attractions, and you’re short on time, you can still visit a palace which is packed with beauty and history, without any of the negatives. Welcome to Aynalikavak Palace.

Aynalikavak Palace is situated in Haskoy, which is considered to be part of Beyoglu. That might not mean anything to you right now, but Taksim neighbours Beyoglu, so you’ll be able to get there on foot quite easily from the major attractions in that area. If you’re staying over on the Asian side, simply catch the ferry over to Karakoy and walk, or take the Marmaray and connect as you reach the European side. Aynalikavak also has its own bus station, so you could easily reach by bus, if you don’t mind the traffic! The palace is literally next door to the bus station.

What is Aynalikavak Palace?

We know that the Ottomans loved their buildings to be grand and gleaming with gold; we also know that they liked them to be bigger and better than anything they built before. Aynalikavak Palace is sat right on the shores of the Bosphorus, in the historic Golden Horn area, and dates back to 1613.

Aynalikavak Palace was commissioned to be built by Sultan Ahmet 1, and it continued to grow and expand as far as the latter years of the 18th century. For anyone who likes their tourist attractions to be quiet, hidden away, and a literal gem, Aynalikavak Palace is the one for you. Of course, you should certainly head to the other big hitters, such as Dolmabahce Palace and Topkapi Palace, but again, you’ll need to pay and you’ll need to queue.

Aynalikavak Palace takes its name from the battle that took place between the Ottomans and the Venetians in 1715. At this time, the Venetians gifted many mirrors to the Ottomans, and these were showcased in Aynalikavak Palace. The name therefore means ‘The Palace of the Mirrored Poplars’.

As sieges, battles, and wars raged on throughout the Ottoman Empire’s reign, the palace was forgotten, however a large restoration was ordered in 2000, and nowadays the palace is back to its former glory, ready to welcome visitors who enter its outer gates. The palace is now a museum, and has some beautiful views right over the historic peninsula. You can also grab a nice cup of coffee or a traditional Turkish cay at the cafe within the grounds.

Visiting Aynalikavak Palace

We’ve mentioned already that Aynalikavak Palace might be a hidden gem, but it is also one which is easy to reach. There are many other areas of interest nearby, including Eyup Sultan Mosque and Rahmi Koc Museum. You can even take the kids to explore the palace, before heading over for some fun and exploration at Miniaturk, which is close by.

Underneath the palace you will find the Museum of Turkish Music, which you can visit as part of your entrance into the palace grounds. Here you will find many different examples of old musical instruments, played throughout the Ottoman Empire’s reign. You will also be interested to know that the palace was the site of the 1779 treaty signed between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, named the Aynalikavak Treaty

Aynalikavak Palace is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and closed Mondays and Thursdays. There is a 5tl charge to enter the palace, but you get to visit the Museum of Turkish Music as part of your 5tl entrance charge. To be honest, the charge is extremely low for the level of history and the experience you’re getting. The cafe is also worth a visit, although obviously you will need to pay extra for any refreshments. Be sure to take your camera for the beautiful views over the Golden Horn too.

Whilst Aynalikavak Palace should certainly not replace a visit to the wonder of Topkapi Palace, or Dolmabahce Palace, it is a great option for those who want a more relaxed experience. Visiting the other two suggestions is going to take you half a day at the very least, and much of that will require queueing. The entrance fees for the more famous palaces are also much, much higher than the entrance fee for Aynalikavak Palace, with many more people getting in your way at the same time!