İncili Köşk The Unforgettable Elegance of History

The İncili Köşk, which once shone like a pearl among the walls of Istanbul, is engraved in the pages of history as one of the elegant architectural works of the Ottoman period.
Built in the 16th century, the pavilion was located overlooking the Marmara Sea and was named after the precious pearl motifs used in its decorations. Unfortunately, the pavilion does not physically exist today, but it remains a symbol of the glorious palace life of Istanbul's past.

The İncili Köşk was built by the Ottoman grand vizier Koca Sinan Pasha and presented as a gift to Murad III, the sultan of the time. Adorned with Iznik tiles, fine stonework and rich details, it was an important example of Ottoman elegance. Known to have been built on the ruins of a Byzantine ayazma, the mansion was used as a resting and reception area for both sultans and ambassadors at the time. It is rumored that Murad III was deeply saddened by the windows of the mansion being shattered by the cannons of the ships in the harbor, and that this event was one of the turning points for him. The mansion witnessed important moments in Murad III's life and left a mark on Ottoman palace life. During the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz, the mansion was demolished during the construction of railroad projects. This resulted in the loss of not only the İncili Köşk, but also many other elegant buildings along Istanbul's coastline. Today, the existence of the mansion lives only in historical records and research.
This mansion symbolizes Ottoman aesthetics and its place in the multi-layered history of Istanbul. An example of elegance and fine craftsmanship in the past, İncili Köşk is a reminder of the lost historical richness of Istanbul today. Remembering and telling the story of İncili Köşk is of great importance in raising awareness of the preservation of Istanbul's cultural heritage. Therefore, learning about buildings like İncili Köşk and spreading this knowledge is one of the ways to build a bridge to the future.