The İkiz Mansion (also known as the Faik and Bekir Bey Mansion) is a symmetrical mansion located on Köybaşı Avenue in the Yeniköy neighborhood of the Sarıyer district, on the European (Rumeli) side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, right next to the Yeniköy Pier.
This three-story wooden structure, which appears to be a single magnificent mansion when viewed from the outside, actually consists of two identical houses built in a row. The waterside mansion, which has a four-eyed boathouse at sea level, immediately attracts the attention of those passing through the Bosphorus with its rich decorative facade design in the Arabesk-Ottoman style. The İkiz Mansion, signed by Italian architect Raimondo D'Aronco, is considered one of the most stunning examples of Art Nouveau style in Istanbul.
History
The İkiz Mansion was built in 1906 for the twin daughters of Sara Sultan from the Ottoman dynasty by Raimondo D'Aronco in accordance with the eclectic style. D'Aronco was one of the leading palace architects of the time and blended traditional Ottoman architectural elements with the contemporary Art Nouveau movement in the building. The two mansion sections, rising side by side along the Bosphorus, were designed as mirror reflections of each other and were initially connected by an interior passage. Because of this feature, the structure is popularly known as the 'İkiz Mansion'.
The waterside mansion built during the last period of the Ottoman Empire remained in the use of Sara Sultan and her family until the early years of the Republic. After the death of Sara Sultan, her grandchildren put the structure up for sale in two separate sections; Faik Kurtoğlu bought the southern half, while Bekir Sıtkı Oyal purchased the northern half. The names of these two new owners gradually became the name of the structure, and it started to be known as Faik Bey and Bekir Bey's Waterside Mansion. In 1952, the southern section passed to Lütfiye Kurtoğlu, and in 1967, the northern section came under the ownership of Engineer Adnan Ünlütürk. For this reason, the southern part of the mansion can be referred to as Kurdoğlu Mansion, and the northern part can be known as Engineer Adnan Ünlütürk Mansion.
The building, which was registered and put under protection by the committee responsible for preserving the historical civil architecture of Boğaziçi in 1971, has largely retained its original facade. The wooden exterior decorations and the wide bay windows overlooking the Bosphorus still reflect the aesthetics of their first day. In the interior layout and decoration, there have been renovations and modern additions made over the years. Today, both parts of the mansion are used as private property and are not open to visitors; however, they can be easily seen from the outside, especially from the sea.
Explore By Yacht
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore the beauties of the Bosphorus is undoubtedly a private yacht tour. By renting a yacht, you can view historic structures like the İkiz Mansion from the sea at the most ideal angle. Instead of being limited to a land view, you can glide slowly right in front of the mansion and closely examine the elegant details on the facade while taking wonderful photos. Moreover, on a private yacht tour, you experience a very comfortable and personalized excursion away from the crowds, accompanied by the cool breeze of the Bosphorus.
If you want to determine your own route and freely explore the Bosphorus,
rented a yacht on the Bosphorus is one of the best options. With your rented yacht, you gain the freedom to create your own tour plan entirely as you wish. Whether you stop in front of the İkiz Mansion to admire this magnificent structure, or welcome the sunset on the Yeniköy coast – the choice is entirely yours. You can decide how much time you spend during the tour or at which coves you will take breaks. This freedom is a privilege that you will not find on crowded tour boats or on road trips.
To experience the mesmerizing atmosphere of the Istanbul Bosphorus, you should create your own schedule and rent a yacht. With your private yacht, you can glide joyfully over the blue waters of the Bosphorus while closely observing the historic waterfront mansions and embarking on a journey back to the past. As you admire rare gems from the Ottoman era, like the İkiz Mansions, from the sea, the noise and crowds of the city will fade away; you will feel as if you are in a different time period. That's why enjoying the Bosphorus on a boat that belongs only to you and your loved ones and creating unforgettable memories offers a unique experience.