The Mediha Sultan Mansion, located in the Baltalimanı neighborhood of the Sarıyer district on the shores of the Istanbul Bosphorus, is a historical building that immediately catches the eye with its magnificent appearance.
This two-story villa built in the neo-classical style impresses those passing through the Bosphorus with its white facade architecture, arched windows, and elegant columned sections. When viewed from the waters of the Bosphorus, the villa's symmetrical facade and magnificent stance reflect the grandeur of the old Ottoman empire. This beautiful structure, which conveys its historical texture even from the outside, leaves an impression on its visitors at first sight that evokes both elegance and curiosity.
History
Mediha Sultan Mansion was built in the mid-19th century by the Ottoman Grand Vizier (Prime Minister) Mustafa Reşid Pasha. The architects of the structure were Karabet Amira Balyan and his son Sarkis Balyan from the famous Balyan family, who are known for designing many palaces and mansions in the Ottoman Empire. This resulted in a refined example of the neo-classical style. It should also be noted that important events took place at the mansion during the era of Reşid Pasha. Indeed, the commercial agreements signed between the Ottoman Empire and England in 1838, known in history as the Baltalimanı Agreements, were documented in this seaside mansion.
After Reşid Pasha, the mansion was allocated for the residence of the young couple, Ali Galip Pasha, the son of the Pasha, and Fatma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdulmejid, due to their marriage. After Fatma Sultan's death in 1884, her sister Mediha Sultan requested this place, and it was gifted to her by Sultan II. Abdulhamid in 1887. Mediha Sultan was a princess of the Ottoman dynasty and married one of the last grand viziers of the period, Damat Ferit Pasha. Because of this marriage, the mansion also began to be known as Damat Ferit Pasha Mansion. The couple used this mansion as a summer residence until 1922, during the last period of the Ottoman Empire.
After the declaration of the Republic, the Mediha Sultan Mansion remained empty for a long time and was damaged due to neglect. In fact, valuable belongings and a rich collection belonging to the mansion were auctioned and dispersed in 1925. In the 1940s, the building was transferred to state ownership, and after being restored, it began serving as the Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Hospital in 1944. In the 2000s, the mansion underwent another comprehensive restoration and is currently used as a healthcare institution operating in the field of orthopedics under the name Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital.
Explore By Yacht
On a boat trip you will take in the Bosphorus, the best way to experience this magnificent mansion is to take advantage of a yacht rental service. When you set sail on a private yacht, you have the chance to discover the details of Mediha Sultan Mansion that cannot be seen from the shore. It is possible to approach this mansion, which hosted its guests by sea during the Ottoman period, and photograph it during a yacht tour, and feel its historical texture up close. Accompanied by the gentle breeze of the Bosphorus, as you look at the mansion’s wide-fronted architecture from the water, you can feel like you have embarked on a journey through time.
For those who want to see historical buildings in an environment away from the crowds, the ideal option is to rent a yacht and set your route towards the pearls of the Bosphorus. With your privately rented yacht, you can adjust your tour program as you wish and make stops at significant points such as the Mediha Sultan Mansion. Moreover, during a yacht trip, you can easily view not only this mansion but also other historical mansions, pavilions, and even iconic structures like the Rumeli Fortress in the surroundings. On yacht tours led by a professional captain and guide, you will experience a comfortable journey and have the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of the Bosphorus firsthand.
Rented a yacht on the Bosphorus means experiencing a discovery adventure that is completely unique to you. Since the tour boat belongs only to you and your group, you can take photo breaks whenever you like or stop in front of the mansion at sunset to enjoy the view. Since you can travel without time restrictions when you rent a yacht, you have the chance to see the Mediha Sultan Mansion both in daylight and during the evening when it is illuminated. In short, by planning a yacht tour according to your own schedule, you can experience the historic beauty of the Istanbul Bosphorus in the most privileged and unforgettable way.