Native name: Sepetciler Kasri
Sepetciler Qasr is located at Sarayburnu area in Eminonu neighborhood , at the entrance of the Golden Horn . It was built in the 16th century by Sultan Murat III . It was later renovated in 1739 by Sultan Mahmud I . It was used as a boat house for imperial boats where the sultans used to watch their navy returning from a campaign . In the Republic period , the palace was used as an army pharmacy . It was then left empty until its restoration in the late 1980's .
Currently , a section of Sepetciler Qasr serves as an International Press Center of the General Directorate of Press , and another section is a restaurant and night club . The restaurant is a famous one . It is open everyday and gets very busy for Sunday brunches , however the Press Center is not open to the public .
