This is the "Tiled Pavilion" part of the Archeology museum. Beautiful tiles from different times and places (İznik - Nicea, Kütahya) can be seen. Osman Hamdi Bey, accepted as the first Turkish archeologist, managed and contributed a lot to this museum; one of his paintings is here. According to the notes on site: Çinili Köşk, now serving as a museum where outstanding samples of Turkish tiles and ceramics are exhibited, was built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror in 1472 and due to the tiles adorning its interior and exterior it is called Sırça Saray (Crystal Palace) or Kasr-1 Kaşi (Keshan Pavilion). It is known that sports competitions were held at Aga Çayırı (Master's Meadow), Kalfa Yeri (Head Clerk's Place) and Kum Meydanı (Sand Court) on the grounds surrounding the pavilion.

In spite of the changes it has undergone during its history, the building with its porticoed entrance, eyvans (liwan) and tiles is the only secular building belonging to the Ottoman civilian architecture in Istanbul in Seljukian style. The harmony of the turquoise, white, purple and dark blue tiles made in the mosaic technique are indicators of a well-developed sense of decoration. The inscription circumscribing the door below the eyvan decorated with mosaic tiles at the entrance gives the completion date of the construction and lauds its beauty as well. The present portico consisting of 14 marble columns was constructed during the reign of Abdülhamid I (1774-1789) after the (original) old wooden portico burned down in 1737.

After the fire Çinili Köşk was alloted to the Saray Agasi (Palace Master's) for a while.In 1875 when it was decided to be used as a museum some changes were made in the interior and it was opened in 1880 as Müze-i Hümayun (Imperial Museum). For a long time the building was used for the display of archaeological and Islamic artifacts. In 1939 Çinili Köşk was turned over to the Topkapi Palace Museum and its artifacts were dispersed to different museums, thus for a time Çinili Köşk lost its function as a museum.

It was thought appropriate to display arms, costumes, fermans (imperial edicts), paintings, books, etc. belonging to Mehmed the Conqueror on the 500th anniversary of his conquest of Istanbul (1953) and the building was restored and opened to the public under the name of Fatih Müzesi (Museum of the Conqueror). Later on the building was used as a section where Turkish-Islamic and Ottoman tiles and ceramics were displayed and in 1981 was annexed to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum Management because of the proximity of their locations.

Within the halls and rooms of the Çinili Köşk Museum are exhibited the matchless samples of Great Seljukian, Anatolian Seljukian and Ottoman tiles and ceramics dating between the end of the 12th century-to the beginning of the 20th century.

The main building may take about 2-3 hours, depending on how much interest you have in history, art and details, especially the sarcophagi and Troy parts of the museum.

Further reading about Osman Hamdi Bey and the architect Valéry may help you enjoy more. Nov.16,2023: The photos you'll see about this part of the museum are all any tourist can see : it's next to impossible to get in here.