Abdullah Ağa Mansion

The building, considered one of the outstanding examples of the late 18th century civil architecture of the Bosphorus, is immediately noticeable with its wide wooden facade and its location right by the sea. The two-story mansion is also striking for having been partly built on stilts (poles) above the water at one time. Abdullah Ağa Mansion, which captures the admiration of those traveling by boat or ferry on the Bosphorus at first sight, offers a unique visual feast to its visitors by combining its historical texture with the modern view of Istanbul.

History

The construction of the mansion dates back to 1810-1811; during the reign of Sultan Mahmud II, Bostancıbaşı Abdullah Agha had it built as his residence. In the records of the time, this structure is referred to as the "Bostancıbaşı Mansion." Abdullah Agha, who came from a modest family of boatmen (also known as Hamdullah Pasha), began his career as a rower on the palace's royal boat and gradually gained the sultan's trust. Rising rapidly through the ranks in the Bostancı Corps, Abdullah Agha reached the positions of bostancıbaşı and captain of the navy; he also served briefly as the Ottoman grand vizier in 1822. After becoming captain of the navy, Abdullah Agha contributed to the social life of the neighborhood by having a small mosque (now known as Hamdullah Pasha Mosque) built under the centuries-old plane tree next to his mansion.

After the death of Abdullah Ağa in 1823, the mansion was inherited by his family and remained in the family for many years. In the late 19th century, it was briefly used by the statesman Raif Pasha, which led to it being referred to in literature as "Raif Pasha Mansion." Eventually, in 1911, the mansion was sold to a Greek businessman named Yordan Pavlidis, and for this reason, it began to be known among the public as "Yordan Mansion." After World War I, during the years of occupation in Istanbul, the Abdullah Ağa Mansion was used for a time as the headquarters of the Italian Forces Command. When the Italians left the mansion, they left the building in a dilapidated condition; Pavlidis, in the following years, renovated the mansion, adding two protruding rooms supported by wooden columns extending towards the sea in the front facade, and also built an additional room at the back.

Eşsiz konumu ve tarihî değeriyle Abdullah Ağa Yalısı, Cumhuriyet döneminde bakımsız kalınca 1981 yılında Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı tarafından kamulaştırıldı. Aslına uygun restorasyon projesi kapsamında TAÇ Vakfı'nın gözetiminde yalı, strüktürel açıdan onarılamayacak durumda olduğundan tüm özgün parçaları koruma altına alınarak yıkıldı ve aslına sadık kalınarak baştan sona yeniden inşa edildi. Yeniden ayağa kaldırılan yalı, bir süre kamu mülkiyetinde atıl kaldıktan sonra Adalet Bakanlığı'na bağlı bir vakfa devredildi ve 2000'li yıllarda turizme kazandırıldı. Günümüzde Abdullah Ağa Yalısı, Sütiş markasıyla hizmet veren şık bir restoran-kafe olarak kullanılmakta; boğaz manzaralı bahçesinde hem İstanbulluların hem de yabancı konukların ilgisini çeken keyifli buluşmalara ev sahipliği yapmaktadır.

Explore By Yacht

Seeing the mansions on the Bosphorus from land is certainly beautiful, but the pleasure of seeing them from the sea is completely different. By renting a yacht in the Istanbul Bosphorus, you can view historical mansions like Abdullah Ağa Mansion much more closely and freely. A Bosphorus tour on a private yacht will offer you a calm and personal experience, unlike crowded sightseeing boats; it will allow you the opportunity to stop at any point to take photos or enjoy the scenery.

Exploring the coastline of Çengelköy and its surroundings by sea is ideal for experiencing the historical texture of the district from a different perspective. By renting a yacht, you can create your own route in the blue waters of the Bosphorus and have the chance to see and photograph the Abdullah Ağa Mansion directly across as you pass through the waters of Çengelköy. Moreover, you can make a short stop at a suitable point with your yacht and disembark; for example, you can enjoy tea overlooking the Bosphorus at the famous Çınaraltı tea garden located right next to the mansion. This flexibility in accessing the sea allows you to explore Çengelköy, one of Istanbul's cherished districts, without the hassle of traffic.

For such a special Bosphorus experience, you can rent a yacht through many companies in Istanbul. Whether you plan a trip for a few hours or a full day, the comfort and freedom of traveling on your own yacht is something else entirely. With a professional captain and crew, you can set your route as you wish and relax while enjoying the Bosphorus. As you glide past the historic mansions, you will collect unforgettable memories of watching Istanbul's unique silhouette from the sea.