Sait Halim Pasha Mansion is one of the most beautiful mansions on the Bosphorus and is an important historical building. The mansion is located in the Sarıyer district, on the coast of Yeniköy. It is also known as "Arslanlı Mansion" because of the two lion statues on its quay.
History of Sait Halim Pasha Mansion
Sait Halim Yaşa Mansion was built towards the end of the 19th century, between 1863 and 1865, for Sait Halim Pasha, the grandson of Mehmed Ali Pasha of Kavala. Its architect is Alexandre Vallaury, the famous Italian architect of the period. This architect has many important works in Istanbul. Sait Halim Pasha, who gave his name to the mansion, was one of the important statesmen of the Ottoman Empire. Between 1913 and 1917, he served as the grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire. He was also instrumental in the Ottoman Empire's entry into World War I. Sait Halim Pasha Mansion hosted many important diplomatic meetings during the Ottoman period. In addition, many important guests were hosted and various events were organized. Sait Halim Pasha Mansion underwent an extensive restoration in the 1980s. Today, it is used for various events, weddings and organizations. At the same time, it serves as an important tourist attraction that preserves the historical texture of Istanbul.
Sait Halim Pasha Mansion Architecture
Sait Halim Pasha Mansion was built in neo-classical style but also has the characteristics of Ottoman civil architecture. The front façade of the mansion extends parallel to the sea and establishes a direct connection with the sea. The woodwork of the building is quite remarkable. Sait Halim Pasha Mansion consists of three main sections: selamlık, harem and outbuildings. While Selamlık is the section where guests are entertained, the harem belongs to the family. Outbuildings, on the other hand, are the areas where servants and daily work are carried out.
How to get to Sait Halim Pasha Mansion
You can use a few different ways to get to Sait Halim Pasha Mansion:
Metro
The closest metro line to Yeniköy is the M2 (Yenikapı-Hacıosman) line. You can get off at the Hacıosman stop on this line and take the IETT buses numbered 25, 25A, 25E or 40B from here to reach Yeniköy. After getting off at Yeniköy stop, you can reach the mansion with a short walk.
Bus
You can reach Yeniköy by buses going in the direction of Sarıyer from central points such as Beşiktaş, Kabataş and Taksim. Bus lines 40B, 25A and 25E are frequently used in this region. After getting off at the Yeniköy stop by bus, you can reach the mansion with a short walk along the beach.
Steamship
You can reach Sarıyer by Bosphorus lines ferries departing from Beşiktaş or Üsküdar, and from there you can reach Sait Halim Paşa Mansion with a short journey by taxi.
Private Car
If you are on the European side, you can reach Yeniköy by following the Sarıyer signs on the TEM highway or the E-5 highway. When you continue along the coastal road, it is possible to reach Sait Halim Pasha Mansion. If you are on the Anatolian Side, you can use the Bosphorus Bridge or Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge to cross to the European Side and continue in the direction of Sarıyer. When you reach Yeniköy, you can reach the mansion by proceeding along the coast.
Yacht Charter
To reach Sait Halim Pasha Mansion by sea, Istanbul yacht charter is a great option for those who want to explore the beauties of the Bosphorus. Many yacht charter companies in Istanbul can take you to the mansion by organizing a Bosphorus tour. You can get an hourly or daily yacht charter service from the
yatkiralama.net/en page of the Boğaz Çocuğu company and attend an invitation at Sait Halim Yaşa Mansion or take souvenir photos while passing by before getting off the yacht. Don't forget to tag the "Bogaz Cocugu Yat Kiralama" page in your Instagram posts :)
Address: Yeniköy Dist. Köybaşı St. No:83, 34464 Sarıyer, İstanbul, Türkiye