Raife Hanım Mansion

With its white-painted wooden facade and vertical architecture, it stands out from the surrounding buildings. While passing by on a boat in the Bosphorus, this historic mansion, which catches the eye with its slender silhouette, leaves a first impression reflecting the elegance of the Ottoman era on its guests. Both local and foreign visitors can feel the grandeur of Istanbul life along the shores of the Bosphorus, stretching from the past to the present when they see the mansion.

History

During the Ottoman era, the building constructed in the 19th century is known as Raife Hanım Yalısı; it is also referred to as İzzet Reha Poroy Yalısı due to its last owner. The land of the yalısı belonged to Mehmet Ali Bey, one of the mayors of that period, who had this yalısı built for his daughter Raife Hanım. In later years, the ownership of the yalısı passed to the famous law professor İzzet Reha Poroy after he purchased it, and it became part of the Poroy family. Architecturally, the yalısı was designed in a vertical plan and in the mansion style, originally constructed from wood; it was converted into a masonry (stone/bricks) structure during renovations in the 20th century. Considered one of the pearls of the Bosphorus, this building was registered as a cultural asset to be preserved by the decision of the High Council of Real Estate Antiquities and Monuments in 1971. Today, Raife Hanım Yalısı is protected as private property, and while it can be seen from the outside, its interior is not open to public visits.

Explore By Yacht

The most enjoyable way to explore the historic mansions of the Bosphorus is undoubtedly to travel by sea. On a Bosphorus tour you will embark on by renting a yacht in Istanbul, you can find the opportunity to closely see hidden beauties such as the Raife Hanım Mansion. Especially during the summer months, watching the shores of Beylerbeyi from the deck of a yacht offers the chance to experience both the unique views of the city and the Ottoman heritage together. During this special boat tour you will take with professional captains, you can take pictures of the mansion from the best angles while sailing through the cool waters of the Bosphorus, engraving in your memory this view where history meets nature.

If you want, you can form a small group with your friends and renting a yacht, determining your own route to explore Beylerbeyi and its surroundings. During the yacht tour, you can not only see Raife Hanım Yalı, but also admire the nearby historical Beylerbeyi Palace, other neighboring yalis, and the grandeur of the bridge over the Bosphorus from the sea. Thanks to the freedom provided by the yacht, you can enjoy the Bosphorus away from the crowd as you wish, while the professional crew ensures a comfortable and safe trip. By creating your own schedule, the privilege of stopping at any point to enjoy the view becomes possible with the yacht tour.

To make your Bosphorus tour unforgettable and to experience the unique beauties of Istanbul in the most special way, you should also rent a yacht. For foreign tourists, seeing Istanbul's magnificent waterfront mansions up close will be a unique experience; local visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of daily city life and get a chance to see their city through the eyes of a tourist. While gliding off Beylerbeyi in your yacht, you can receive information from your guide about the mansions and the history of the area, thus turning the trip into an educational tour as well. Discover all of Istanbul's coastal beauties, starting with Raife Hanım Mansion, as you embark on a journey intertwined with history in the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus.