The Ahmet Rasim Pasha Mansion, located in the Kanlıca district on the Anatolian side of the Istanbul Bosphorus, is a historical structure that stands out with its impressive architecture.
This magnificent mansion with a white wooden façade and western-style decorations dazzles those passing through the Bosphorus due to its location. The large two-story villa has gained years of fame as one of the iconic structures of the Bosphorus with its elegant columned front facade and symmetrical design. When viewed from the waters of the Bosphorus, it leaves an unforgettable first impression reflecting the elegance of the Ottoman era and the grandeur of life on the Bosphorus for both local and foreign visitors.
History
The mansion built by Ahmed Rasim Pasha, the governor of Tripoli (Libya) during the late Ottoman period, takes its name from this pasha. Originally a wooden structure when it was first constructed, the Ahmed Rasim Pasha Mansion was completely burned down in a major fire in 1897, and only half of it could be reconstructed the following year. In subsequent years, the mansion was rebuilt in a neoclassical style that bears Western influences as we see today, taking its place along the Bosphorus coast. After the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917, some White Russian refugees fleeing from Russia were accommodated in this mansion for a while. When Ahmed Rasim Pasha passed away in 1897, his remaining family sold the ownership of the mansion to the Istanbul Municipality in 1915.
The municipality wanted to gift the ownership of this mansion to the commander of the War of Independence, Lieutenant General Şükrü Naili Gökberk Pasha, by a decision of the city council, but the Pasha declined this offer. As a result, the mansion was transferred to the Istanbul Provincial Administration and was used for a long time as Kanlıca Primary School. By the 1970s, the building had become quite dilapidated and was vacated, becoming unusable. In the early 2000s, the mansion underwent a comprehensive restoration and has been serving as the boutique hotel A'jia Hotel since 2004. In fact, A'jia Hotel has attracted international attention by being awarded the title of "Europe's Most Charming Hotel" by prestigious travel guides such as Conde Nast Johansens. Today, the mansion continues to showcase its grandeur by combining both its historical texture and modern comfort as a hotel by the Bosphorus.
Explore By Yacht
Renting a yacht on the Bosphorus is one of the most enjoyable ways to closely explore the rare waterfront mansions of the Bosphorus, such as the Ahmet Rasim Pasha Mansion. Approaching this magnificent structure from the sea allows you to observe the columned balcony on the sea façade and its neoclassical details in all their splendor. During a private
yacht trip, you will better appreciate the mansion’s dominant location; you will discover architectural details that are hard to see from the shore as you admire them from the water. Additionally, as you glide towards the mansion by boat, the view of the lush Kanlıca hills in the background serves as a perfect backdrop that complements the beauty of this historic structure.
On a Bosphorus tour where you rent a yacht, you can plan your route as you wish and have the chance to see many mansions, considered to be the pearls of Istanbul, one after the other. During this journey from the shores of Kanlıca towards Çubuklu, you will find the opportunity to photograph the Ahmet Rasim Pasha Mansion from the most advantageous angle. Watching the white façade architecture of the mansion and its splendor reflected in the sea from the deck of the yacht offers a privileged experience that cannot be matched from land. Away from crowded tour boats, you can closely observe this mansion in a setting that is exclusive to you and your loved ones while peacefully experiencing both the natural beauty and history of the Bosphorus.
To fully experience Istanbul's unique coastal culture, rent a yacht on the Bosphorus and create your own exploration route. With a personal tour on a luxurious yacht, you will closely experience the traces of the past as you pass by palatial structures like the Ahmet Rasim Pasha Mansion. While gliding through the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Kanlıca shore and the hills across. This special yacht trip, where history blends with the scenery, is sure to become one of the unforgettable memories of your Istanbul journey.