Ali Rıza Pasha Mansion

This magnificent structure, with its wooden sections extending towards the sea and lace-like carved eave details, catches the attention of those passing through the Bosphorus at first glance, and due to its aesthetic proportions, it is counted among the pearls of the Bosphorus. The four-story waterfront mansion, a traditional waterfront house from the Ottoman period, is one of the structures admired by both Istanbulites and foreign guests on the Bosphorus tour.

History

The mansion, built by a French family living in Istanbul in the late 19th century, was purchased along with its furniture in 1908 by Ali Rıza Pasha. Ali Rıza Pasha, who rose to the rank of Pasha in the Ottoman army, was a cartographer who spent a significant part of his professional life in France. His daughter, İclal Karakaptan, who raised her children with modern education, is recorded in history as Turkey's first female doctor of economics and first female bank manager. After the death of Ali Rıza Pasha in 1935, the mansion continued to remain in the family's ownership during the Republic era and was registered as a cultural asset in 1971.

Architecturally, the mansion, which rises in wooden floors above a masonry (stone) ground floor, is one of the rare examples of traditional Ottoman civil architecture in the Bosphorus. The central section on the sea facade is wide; projections and balconies extending towards the shore on the upper floors have given the building a characteristic silhouette. Small restorations and modernizations it underwent (for example, the renewal of the inner hall by Topkapi Palace experts in 1962 and the addition of a heating system in 1974) adapted the mansion to modern comfort while the exterior decorations and wooden shutters have been carefully preserved to maintain their original splendor. Today, Ali Rıza Pasha Mansion is still a private property, only visible from the outside, and continues to exist as a historic part of the Bosphorus view.

Explore By Yacht

Renting a yacht in the Bosphorus is one of the most enjoyable ways to get a close look at historic mansions like the Ali Rıza Pasha Mansion. Since the mansion is not open to visitors, approaching from the sea provides a great advantage to fully experience its magnificent facade. During a private yacht tour, you can closely examine the mansion's balconies extending towards the shore and its carved wooden eaves, allowing you to feel the glory of this Ottoman heritage from the sea. Capturing the reflection of the mansion's pink facade on the water while gliding through the blue waters of the Bosphorus will add an unforgettable memory to your trip to Istanbul.

By renting a yacht, you can define your own route and schedule as you wish, and enjoy a personal travel experience away from the crowded tour boats of the Bosphorus. Whether in the early light of day or in the golden hues of sunset, you can seize the opportunity to view the Ali Rıza Pasha Mansion from the best angles during your yacht trip along the shores of Yeniköy. While watching the green hills and historical mansions on the opposite shore from the deck of the yacht, you can stop at any moment to capture this unique scenery in photographs. With this journey that is entirely dedicated to you and your loved ones, it is possible to peacefully explore the historical texture of Istanbul by the waterfront.

To fully experience the historical beauties of Istanbul, you can rent your own private yacht and enjoy the Bosphorus. Your personal yacht tour offers the opportunity to approach freely the mansions that are considered the pearls of the Bosphorus and stop wherever you wish to watch the skyline of the city. As you pass in front of magnificent mansions like Ali Rıza Paşa Mansion, you will feel the traces of the past vividly while also admiring the unique coastal panorama of Istanbul. With a comfortable yacht trip, you can create unforgettable memories far away from the noise of the city, accompanied by the cool breezes of the Bosphorus.