Located on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait, in the Ortaköy neighbourhood of Beşiktaş district, Hatice Sultan Mansion is a magnificent seaside palace that immediately catches the eye with its historical texture.
Its white façade, reflecting the elegance of the late Ottoman period, together with the famous Ortaköy Mosque (Büyük Mecidiye Mosque) next to it, forms a striking picture in the Bosphorus skyline. This structure, which carries the traces of the past in the heart of a modern cityscape, rises at the foot of the 15 July Martyrs' Bridge (formerly known as the Bosphorus Bridge), bridging the old and the new. While most of the similar mansions in the Ortaköy area were destroyed by fires over time, Hatice Sultan Mansion is the only Hanım Sultan mansion that has survived to the present day, making it particularly valuable for history enthusiasts.
History of the Hatice Sultan Mansion
The story of Hatice Sultan Mansion begins in the late Ottoman Empire. At the end of the 1800s, Sultan Abdulhamid II decided to support the family of his deposed uncle, Sultan Murad V, by assigning them mansions along the Bosphorus. One of the two magnificent mansions built on the Ortaköy coast was commissioned for Hatice Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Murad V. Constructed between approximately 1890 and 1900 by the Balyan family, renowned architects of the Ottoman court, the mansion was built in the Empire style and presented to Hatice Sultan as a wedding gift in 1901. Princess Hatice Sultan began leading a modest yet distinguished life in this mansion.
However, a scandalous love affair that shook the Ottoman palace in the early 1900s also left its mark on the mansion's history. Damad Mehmed Kemaleddin Pasha, the husband of Naime Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdulhamid, began a secret romantic relationship with Hatice Sultan, who lived in the neighbouring mansion. When the scandal came to light in early 1904, it enraged Sultan Abdülhamid II, who felt betrayed both as a sultan and as a father. Abdülhamid stripped his son-in-law Kemaleddin Pasha of all his military titles and exiled him to Bursa; he also divorced his daughter Naime Sultan from her husband. He also banned his niece Hatice Sultan from leaving her mansion, effectively placing her under house arrest. Meanwhile, Hatice Sultan's first husband, Ali Vasıf Pasha, divorced her following the scandal and disappeared. These dramatic events temporarily transformed the once-grand mansion into a golden cage for the young princess.
With the exile of the Ottoman dynasty in March 1924, Hatice Sultan was forced to leave her beloved mansion. The princess spent her years in exile in Lebanon and passed away in poverty in Beirut in 1938. The abandoned Hatice Sultan Mansion began to be used for public purposes from the early years of the Republic. The building, which served as an orphanage for a time, was later converted into an elementary school. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the main building and its outbuildings in the garden served as Gazi Osman Paşa Primary School, where the neighbourhood residents received their education. During the expansion of the Ortaköy coastal road in the 1950s, some of the outbuildings on the road side of the mansion were demolished; additionally, these interventions resulted in the reduction of the mansion's garden on the sea side. Due to repairs and neglect over the years, the structure had become significantly deteriorated and lost some of its original details.
A significant change in the mansion's fate occurred in 1972. At this time, Hatice Sultan Mansion was allocated to the Istanbul Swimming Specialisation Club and converted into a sports facility. A large open-air swimming pool overlooking the Bosphorus was built in the garden of the historic building, and the mansion began to be used as a clubhouse and social facility. Although this unusual use meant that the cultural heritage was being used for a purpose other than its original intent, it at least contributed to the physical preservation of the building. On the other hand, the addition of concrete elements and years of neglect have overshadowed the mansion's original splendour. By 2006, the lease granted to the club was not extended; after 35 years of uninterrupted activity, the club was evicted from the mansion, and the building remained vacant and fell into disrepair.
In the 2000s, the Hatice Sultan Mansion came back into the spotlight. In 2009, Turkish Airlines' catering and tourism partner DO&CO leased the neglected Fehime Sultan and Hatice Sultan mansions for 40 years through a tender. The aim was to restore both dilapidated mansions to their original state and convert them into a luxury boutique hotel. However, over the years, various disputes arose regarding property rights and bureaucratic processes. Finally, in September 2022, the Istanbul Governor's Office's Transfer, Liquidation, and Distribution Commission decided to transfer the ownership of the mansions from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the Treasury. With the legal obstacles overcome, restoration work gained momentum. Indeed, it has been announced by the authorities that the comprehensive restoration will be completed by 2024 and that the Hatice Sultan and Fehime Sultan mansions, located side by side, will soon open their doors as a hotel. With over a century of history behind it, the Hatice Sultan Mansion is now entering a new chapter in its journey, moving towards a bright future as part of Istanbul's tourism industry alongside its neighbouring Fehime Sultan Mansion.
Discover the Hatice Sultan Mansion by Yacht
The breathtaking view of Istanbul is best enjoyed from the waters of the Bosphorus. As you sail along a tranquil route at sunset, the silhouette of Hatice Sultan Mansion appears like a dream on the water's surface when viewed from the deck of a private boat heading towards the Ortaköy coastline. Amidst the gentle breeze and dancing wave reflections, gazing at this elegant mansion intertwined with history from afar transports one back in time. Watching this scene from a chartered yacht, accompanied by the harmony of the Bosphorus' cool waters and city lights, is an experience so captivating it feels like time has stood still.
For travellers who want to experience history and aesthetics together, hourly yacht rental is one of the most exclusive ways to explore the Bosphorus. Far from the crowds, a private yacht tour allows you to freely determine your own route and see the beauty of the coastline up close. As the Ottoman-era mansions, palaces and pavilions line the Bosphorus, passing by one after another, Hatice Sultan Mansion will greet you with all its elegance. Seeing this historical structure from the sea highlights its architectural details and grandeur in a way that is much more striking than viewing it from land. The perspective offered during a yacht cruise will allow you to rediscover the value and beauty of the mansion.
Rent a yacht to fully enjoy the Bosphorus and experience this unique adventure with a sense of absolute freedom. For example, if you follow a route from Ortaköy to Kuruçeşme, you will witness the completely different faces of the buildings along the coast. Many details that remain hidden when viewed from land become fully visible from the sea. The white facade of Hatice Sultan Mansion and the Fehime Sultan Mansion right next to it rise side by side above the water, offering an unforgettable view. If you want to feel the enchanting atmosphere of Istanbul to the core, a yacht trip on the Bosphorus will allow you to collect unforgettable memories. Whether it's for a special celebration or just to enjoy a pleasant day, the peace and freedom you feel while cruising the Bosphorus on your own yacht is unparalleled. During this journey, where historic mansions and modern city silhouettes blend seamlessly, seeing valuable heritage sites like Hatice Sultan Mansion up close will be one of the highlights of your Istanbul trip.