Sepetçiler Palace
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The Sepetçiler Palace (Turkish: Sepetçiler Kasrı, literally: "Basket Weavers' Palace") is a former Ottoman palace located on the southern shore of Golden Horn's mouth at Sarayburnu in the neighborhood of Sirkeci in Istanbul, Turkey.[1] Built in 1592 by Sultan Murad III and renovated by Sultan Mahmud I in 1739,[2] it is the only surviving building from a row of many assorted pavilions and palaces constructed within the outer yard of Topkapı Palace.[3]
Served initially as the government's Foreign Press Office and International Press Center following its renovation,[4] the prominent place with its indoor and open-air facilities for meetings and banquets is managed recently by Swissôtel.
The imperial structure, a former part of the Topkapı Palace complex, is situated on top of the ancient Golden Horn Wall at Marmaroporta ("Marble Gate") (Turkish: Yalıköşkü Kapısı) just below Topkapı Palace. It was erected next to, yet no more existing, Yalı Köşkü, a waterfront pavilion, which was built by Selim I and served to many sultans as a place for reception of Kaptan Pashas (fleet admirals)[5] and for salutation of the fleet before setting sail to a campaign or after returning from a campaign.[6]
The palace on four floors with thick stone-built walls has spacious halls with high wooden doors. It has a panoramic view to the Galata Bridge, the Galata Tower, Karaköy and the Bosporus. The building was turned into a warehouse after alterations made in the 19th century. During the Republic era, it was used as an army pharmacy and then left empty until its restoration in the late 1980s.[7] Renovation work, carried out with reference to old pictures, enabled the restoration of the building to its original state.
Sepetçiler Palace incorporates today a recommended restaurant named "Hammam" (English: Turkish bath), which transforms into a nightclub in the late hours. The site hosts also musical events like jazz concerts during the annual Istanbul International Jazz Festival.[8] [9]
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