Located on the Anatolian side of the Istanbul Bosphorus, on the Kandilli coast of the Üsküdar district, the Princess İkbal Monheim Mansion is a historic building that draws attention with its elegant silhouette.
This mansion, located at the foot of a lush green hill with a waterfront position and white-painted facade, dazzles with its understated elegance rather than ostentation. When viewed from boats passing by the shore, this structure, which appears as a modest seaside cottage surrounded by ivy on the southern facade and a broad eaves with red tiled roof, adapts to its surroundings with serene grace. The mansion, which gives the impression of floating above the water in the strong currents of the Bosphorus, leaves an unforgettable first impression of tranquility on both local and foreign visitors.
History
The history of the Ikbal Monheim Mansion, as can be understood from its name, dates back to the last generation members of the Ottoman Dynasty. The princess who gave her name to the mansion, Princess Ikbal, is the daughter of Neslişah Sultan, the granddaughter of the last Ottoman Sultan, Vahdettin. Neslişah Sultan (1921–2012) was one of the most renowned representatives of the dynasty who lived through the years of exile from Turkey and later returned to the homeland. This mansion, located by the Bosphorus in Kandilli, has also become associated with the Neslişah Sultan family.
Although it carries the name of the Ottoman dynasty, the existing building of the mansion was actually constructed in the early 1970s. Built between 1971 and 1972 at the request of its owner at the time, Dr. Mürsel Saviç, by the famous architect of the period, Sedad Hakkı Eldem, the structure reflects traces of traditional Ottoman mansion architecture. The architectural features of the mansion, with its predominantly wooden materials, wide eaves, and projections extending towards the sea, are designed to reflect 19th-century civil architecture on the Bosphorus. Despite its single-story layout, there is a spacious room with high ceilings and rooms overlooking the sea. Considered one of the 'small mansions' of the Bosphorus, the building has an area of approximately 400 m² and even has a small swimming pool in its garden overlooking the Bosphorus. During the construction process in the 1970s, Sedad Hakkı Eldem carried out a careful restoration/reconstruction to preserve the original historical texture of the mansion.
Since the day it was built, the structure has changed hands several times and has been used as private property. After being the residence of the famous businessman Selahattin Beyazıt and his family for many years, the mansion, which was put up for sale due to developments in the 2010s, was acquired by its new owner in 2018 for approximately 110 million TL. Currently, the Princess İkbal Monheim Mansion (Neslişah Sultan Mansion), which has the status of private property, although it can be viewed from the outside, is not open to visitors. This elegant mansion, protected as a historical artifact, continues to maintain its value as a rare example that carries the memories of royal family members and the classical architectural heritage along the Bosphorus into modern times.
Explore By Yacht
You can experience the mesmerizing coastal views of the Bosphorus best from the sea. Especially when passing by Kandilli, getting a close look at the silhouette of the Princess Ikbal Monheim Mansion merging with the water is a distinct pleasure. The white facade of the mansion appearing through a light mist in the early hours of the morning, or the rooftiles turning red at sunset, seem even more impressive when viewed from the sea. Watching this enchanting scene during a
yacht tour gives one the feeling of traveling through time. Discovering this tranquil corner of the Bosphorus by boat, far from noise and crowds, accompanied only by the sounds of waves and seagulls, will allow you to collect unforgettable memories in Istanbul.
The option of yacht rental for travelers who want to experience history and aesthetics together is one of the most privileged ways to explore the Bosphorus in Istanbul. When you arrange your private boat and determine your own route, you can see the pearls of the Bosphorus at your own pace without being tied to the fixed routes of the ferryboats. As the mansions, palaces, and groves lined along the shores of Kandilli flow past your eyes one by one, the Princess İkbal Monheim Mansion will greet you with all its elegance. If you rent a yacht, you can extend your route as you wish and view this historic mansion from different angles; you can anchor nearby for a photo break or listen to your guide tell the mansion's interesting story. Thanks to the freedom of being on the sea, you will find the opportunity to discover many architectural details that cannot be seen from the land from the seaside.
To fully experience the unique beauties of Istanbul, the only thing you need to do is quite simple: rent a yacht on the Bosphorus and let yourself immerse in this unique experience. Whether it's a romantic evening tour or a pleasant daytime trip with friends, taking a Bosphorus tour on a private yacht will allow you to experience the charm of the city in the most comfortable way. As you glide along the Kandilli shores with your boat, you have the chance to admire the panorama of both the European and Asian sides at the same time. On one side, the modern Istanbul skyline flows before your eyes, and on the other side, historic waterfront mansions nestled among greenery pass by. Witnessing rare mansions like the İkbal Monheim Mansion on the gently swaying deck in the middle of the Bosphorus will be one of the unforgettable highlights of your Istanbul trip. Give yourself this freedom and embark on a fairy-tale journey towards the heart of Istanbul with a yacht tour on the Bosphorus.