Hüseyin Hüsnü Efendi Mansion is located on the Anatolian side of the Bosphorus, between the neighborhoods of Çubuklu and Kanlıca.
The structure located right by the sea has an elegant and classic Ottoman seaside architecture. When viewed from boats or yachts passing through the Bosphorus, the villa's wide garden and silhouette, harmoniously standing with the greenery around it, stand out. Although it appears single-story from the front due to being built on a high retaining wall, it actually has multiple floors and sections in accordance with the traditional plan of its era. At first impression, the simplicity of the villa and its position intertwined with nature leave a peaceful and nostalgic effect on visitors.
History
Although the exact year of construction of the mansion is unknown, it is understood to have been built during the Ottoman period in the late 18th century. While there are different pieces of information regarding its first owner or builder, the structure has been mentioned as part of the mansion of statesman Mahmut Celaleddin Pasha for a period. In later years, Hussein Husnu Effendi, one of the last sheikh ul-Islams (highest religious officials) of the Ottoman Empire, resided in this mansion, and the structure began to be recognized by his name. The elegant seaside mansion, in the style of traditional wooden Bosphorus mansions, featured a boathouse on its ground floor and a canopy (pergola) adorned with ivy on the garden side. The elements of the mansion, such as the sofa (hall), guest room, servant and kitchen sections, a garden with a swimming pool, a kitchen used for distributing food to the poor, a fountain, and a centuries-old plane tree reflected the lifestyle of that era.
During the Republic period, the mansion lost its former glory and fell into ruin due to years of neglect. Even in the 1950s, despite being in a derelict state, there were times when it was rented as a summer house. Over time, the wooden parts of the main structure have disappeared; historical records indicate that the mansion was demolished and replaced with two modern apartment buildings. Today, only the historical marble fountain in its garden remains from the original mansion. This fountain, constructed by Berberbaşı Ali Efendi in 1822, still stands in its place. The mansion was registered and protected by the Real Estate Ancient Monuments and Sites Council in 1971. Finally, the land of the mansion, purchased by businessman Ömer Sabancı in 2012, has been restored and is now a private property. It is known that Ömer Sabancı currently uses this place as his office.
Explore By Yacht
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the Istanbul Bosphorus is to rent a private yacht and cruise along its unique shores. On the Bosphorus tour you'll take by yacht, you can see the coastline where Hüseyin Hüsnü Efendi Yalı is located as you pass through the Çubuklu straits. Unlike crowded ferry tours, you have the opportunity to observe this historic yalı in a calm environment, at whatever distance you choose, while traveling on your own yacht. As you glide through the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus, you can listen to the story of the yalı from a guide and also take a photo break to immortalize the memory of this nostalgic structure.
If you want to freely explore the pearls of the Bosphorus,
rented a yacht in Istanbul will provide you with a great advantage. You can set your own route and navigate towards the shores of Çubuklu through the green hills of Kanlıca, and you can even approach the front of the Hüseyin Hüsnü Efendi Mansion. Thanks to the flexibility offered by a yacht, you will have the opportunity to take a short break in front of the mansion for an in-depth examination or photo shoot. Moreover, during your yacht tour, you can see not only this mansion but also other historic mansions, palaces, and natural beauties in the vicinity; you can fully enjoy the unique view of the Bosphorus.
Rent a yacht to closely see the historic mansions of the Bosphorus and experience an unforgettable journey. Traveling on your own yacht allows you to explore the rich cultural heritage of this region of Istanbul. Observing the architectural details of buildings like the Hüseyin Hüsnü Efendi Mansion from the sea enables you to appreciate their beauty as they blend with the Bosphorus. Additionally, during your yacht trip, you can stop at any point to enjoy the view, witness history accompanied by the cool breeze of the Bosphorus, and observe the vibrant silhouette of modern Istanbul from afar. Set your route for an unforgettable Bosphorus tour and discover this precious corner of Istanbul from the sea.