The Place Where You Will Sense the Spirit of Selim III: Aynalıkavak Pavilion

I visited the Aynalıkavak Palace, a hidden gem along the Haliç shoreline in Istanbul. The moment I stepped through the palace garden gate, the city’s hum faded into the distance; it was as if a curtain of time had parted and I had embarked on a journey back to the 18th century. A tranquil silence, accompanied only by the chirping of birds, enveloped me in a profound sense of peace. Perhaps this feeling stems from the belief that the spirit of Selim III still wanders these gardens...

Aynalıkavak Palace (Photo: Esra Ebrar Taşkın)

Every Sultan Had an Art

Ottoman court life was not solely defined by state affairs. Each sultan had a personal art form, a cherished pastime. These interests offer invaluable insights into their individual personalities:

• Çelebi Mehmed was a master of the bow and arrow.
• Bayezid II, Murad III, Murad IV and Ahmed III were devoted to the art of calligraphy.
• Yavuz Sultan Selim and Kanuni Sultan Süleyman stood out not only as poets but also as designers and creators of ornamental objects.
• Mehmed III and Ahmed I carved spoons,
• Mahmud I practiced wood carving,
• Osman II (Osman the Young) was a skilled saddler.

Among them all, one stands out as perhaps the most refined sultan of the Ottoman Empire, both in art and emotional depth: Selim III.

Aynalıkavak Palace (Photo: Esra Ebrar Taşkın)

Selim III: The Poet and Composer Sultan

Selim III was not merely a sultan on the Ottoman throne—he was also a poet and composer. Aynalıkavak Palace was one of his most cherished retreats. The poems he wrote here and the musical compositions he created still resonate within Turkish music today. He embraced music not as a mere hobby but as a way of life.

The elegant architecture of Aynalıkavak and its serene gardens must have inspired his creative spirit. Close your eyes and stand still for a moment—you might imagine a faint sound of a tambur drifting from within, as if Selim III were softly murmuring the verses he himself had written...

Aynalıkavak Palace (Photo: Esra Ebrar Taşkın)

In Conclusion

During my visit to Aynalıkavak Palace, I encountered its high ceilings, delicate wood carvings, windows harmoniously framed by stained glass, and modest yet evocative furnishings. Yet what moved me most was not the building itself, but the depth of its atmosphere. Aynalıkavak still carries the scent of the emotions, thoughts, and art that once flourished within its walls.

The time I spent here transcended the simple act of touring a historical structure. It became a personal journey into the intimate world a sultan built through art, poetry, and music.

“True art is the voice of the soul.”

– Selim III