Located at the edge of Gülhane Park, Alay Köşkü (the Parade Pavilion)’s unique structure occupies a strategic corner where the old palace walls turn sharply. For centuries, this area was strictly part of the private imperial gardens, off-limits to the public. The kiosk was purpose-built as a "front-row seat" for the Sultans. From this  position, they could observe the grand military parades and official processions passing through the city’s main thoroughfare below. It is from this tradition of watching these "processions" (alay) that the building earned its name.While a wooden structure stood here in the 16th century, the current building was commissioned by Sultan Mahmud II in the early 19th century. Its sophisticated design is attributed to the Balyan family, the master architects who also created the famous Dolmabahçe Palace. The structure is an example of the "Empire" style that influenced Turkish architecture at the time. The elegant proportions of the kiosk allowed the palace to interact with the city while keeping a sense of royal detachment. When the Ottoman court moved to the modern Dolmabahçe Palace in the mid-19th century, the kiosk lost its original military function. In the early years of the Republic, it became a vibrant hub for artists, sculptors, and writers. Today, it stands as one of the few surviving pavilions in the palace walls. It has since been beautifully repurposed as the Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar Literature Museum Library, where it now serves as a quiet, atmospheric space dedicated to books and literature. The museum is open to visitors from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Sundays. Entry is free, but for group visits or guided tours, advance reservations are recommended.