Ahmet Afif Pasha Mansion

This magnificent building, reflecting the architectural fashion of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracts attention with its unique style that blends elements of Eastern and Western architecture. When viewed from boats passing through the Bosphorus, the mansion presents a fairy-tale-like silhouette with its onion-shaped domes atop the towers and wavy eaves, leaving an impressive first impression that reflects the elegance of the past.

History of the Ahmet Afif Pasha Mansion

At the beginning of the 20th century, a simpler seaside mansion stood on the site of the Ahmet Afif Pasha Mansion. The owner of this first building was Ferendiz Hanım, daughter of Mustafa Reşit Pasha, a statesman of the Tanzimat period. Ahmet Afif Pasha (1852-1920) was a high-ranking official in the Ottoman army and was known as the head of the Levazım Dairesi (the department responsible for military supplies). After purchasing the mansion from Ferendiz Hanım, Afif Pasha decided to demolish the old wooden structure and build a grand mansion according to his own taste. Commissioning Alexandre Vallaury, one of the most renowned architects of the period, Pasha completed the construction of the present-day mansion between approximately 1900 and 1910. The mansion was named after its second owner, Afif Pasha. Afif Pasha's son, Ali Fuat Bey, married Refia Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdulhamid II, and they lived in the mansion for a while. As a result, the mansion became a special residence with ties to the Ottoman dynasty.

In the early years of the Republic, following the expulsion of Ottoman dynasty members from the country in 1924, the Afif Pasha Mansion remained ownerless for a time and was put up for sale. Misbah Muhayyeş, the Beirut-born owner of the Pera Palas Hotel, purchased the mansion in 1925 and converted it into a new residence for his family. During Misbah Muhayyeş's time, the mansion hosted distinguished guests. Notably, the world-renowned crime novelist Agatha Christie stayed at the mansion during her visits to Istanbul between 1926 and 1932, as a guest of Misbah Muhayyeş. The mansion was also used as a film set in the 1970s; the filming of Turkey's first television series, Aşk-ı Memnu, directed by Halit Refiğ and broadcast on TRT in 1975, took place here.

After Misbah Muhayyeş's death in 1954, the mansion passed to his son Cemil Muhayyeş. However, during this period, the neglected building gradually fell into disrepair. In 1983, renowned businessman Kemal Uzan purchased the mansion from Cemil Muhayyeş and launched an extensive restoration project. Under the ownership of the Uzan family, the interior and exterior of the mansion were renovated in accordance with its original design, restoring the building to its former glory. During this period, the Afif Pasha Mansion even began to be referred to as the second most valuable mansion in Istanbul. However, due to financial difficulties faced by the Uzan Group, the state seized the mansion in 2004 through the Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF). Despite being put up for auction several times, no buyer was found for a long period. Finally, in 2009, Suzan Sabancı Dinçer, a businesswoman from the Sabancı family, became the new owner of the mansion for 58 million Turkish Lira. Today, the Ahmet Afif Pasha Mansion is privately owned by Suzan Sabancı Dinçer and her family. Although the interior is closed to visitors, the mansion can be admired from the outside and continues to be one of the most exquisite historical treasures of the Bosphorus.

Discover the Ahmet Afif Pasha Mansion by Yacht

One of the most special ways to fully explore the beauty of the Bosphorus is to admire the historic structures along the coast from the sea. While passing by land, many of the villas are hidden behind high walls and trees, but when viewed from the sea, they reveal their entire elegance. If you want to see and photograph rare structures such as the Afif Pasha Mansion in Yeniköy up close, the most enjoyable way to do so is by Bosphorus yacht rental. On a Bosphorus tour with your own route and schedule, you can stop at any point you like and comfortably view the details of this historic mansion from the sea.

For those who prefer to experience Istanbul in a peaceful environment with their loved ones instead of crowded tour boats, a short Bosphorus tour by yacht can turn into an unforgettable memory. As you approach the Afif Pasha Mansion from the deck of a quietly gliding boat, you will feel as if you have travelled back in time. The white silhouette and magnificent architecture of the mansion look even more impressive when viewed from the sea. This unique experience adds depth to your trip by offering you the opportunity to witness Istanbul's historical heritage from a different perspective.

A private yacht tour of the Bosphorus offers you the opportunity to explore in complete freedom, away from the crowds. Rent a boat on the Bosphorus and get the chance to explore this magnificent mansion, which you have only seen from afar, in all its detail. During a few hours of personalised yachting, you can stop wherever you like and enjoy the view. We recommend stepping outside the classic tour options to see the most beautiful side of the Istanbul Bosphorus in all its splendour. This special discovery tour, gliding slowly across the water, will allow you to experience the city's beauty and history in a much deeper way.