When viewed from the waters of the Bosphorus, the Serasker Rıza Pasha Mansion, with its elegant silhouette on the Kandilli shore, is one of Istanbul's historical waterfront mansions.
Its understated demeanor and light gray painted wooden facade create an extremely elegant yet modest effect. This two-story historic mansion is like a painting that brings the Ottoman era's Bosphorus lifestyle to the present, with its garden surrounded by palm trees and stairs leading down to the sea. At first glance, the building provides visitors with a nostalgic sense of tranquility and attracts the attention of both local and foreign tourists passing through the Bosphorus.
History
The history of the Serasker Rıza Pasha Mansion goes back to the 19th century Ottoman period. The first builder of the mansion is known to be Mustafa Nuri Pasha, one of the important statesmen of that time. Some sources also claim that Sultan Abdulaziz had this mansion built and gifted it to Mustafa Nuri Pasha. Mehmed Rıza Pasha (Serasker Rıza Pasha) was an important Ottoman pasha who served as the Minister of War (Serasker, that is, Minister of Defense) for 17 years during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II. After the death of Mustafa Nuri Pasha, the mansion passed into the ownership of Serasker Rıza Pasha by the will of Abdulhamid II. Thus, the mansion began to be referred to by the name of this famous pasha. In the late period of the Ottoman Empire, this mansion, which contained grandeur within simplicity, served as the residence of the Rıza Pasha family in the Bosphorus for a long time.
In the tumultuous years at the beginning of the 20th century, the fate of the mansion also changed. After the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908 and the removal of Rıza Pasha from duty, the Committee of Union and Progress seized the mansion for a while and established a private school here called the Rehber-i İttihad-ı Osmanî School. When Rıza Pasha returned to Istanbul in 1920, the mansion was reunited with its owner; however, Pasha passed away later that year, withdrawing from the historical stage as the last general of the Ottoman Empire. Although the mansion remained empty for a while during the early years of the Republic, significant damage occurred to the main structure by the end of the 1920s. Unfortunately, much of the mansion was lost due to a fire or demolition. The part that has survived to this day is the additional structure in the garden, which has been preserved with traces of its former glory thanks to a meticulous restoration carried out in 1990. The historical mansion still exists on the shores of the Bosphorus today as a part of Istanbul's cultural heritage, maintaining its elegant exterior that largely preserves its original texture.
Explore By Yacht
Exploring this waterfront mansion, which is the pearl of the Bosphorus, from the sea will offer you a glimpse of Istanbul's history and natural beauty combined. Especially when you take a Bosphorus tour by renting a yacht, you'll have the chance to see the details of historical structures like the Serasker Rıza Pasha Mansion up close. As you determine your own route and approach the shore slowly, the wooden decorations of the mansion and the stairs leading to the beach become even more impressive. Watching this structure accompanied by the sound of waves during a boat tour evokes a feeling of traveling back in time, away from the city's hustle and bustle.
If you want to fully experience the unique beauty of the Istanbul Bosphorus, the best way to do this would be to
rented a yacht. As you glide through the cool waters of the strait on your own rented yacht, you can freely explore the coasts of both the Asian and European sides. Whether on a guided tour or an individual yacht trip, you can take as many photo breaks as you wish while passing by historic mansions like the Serasker Rıza Pasha Mansion, and you can listen to the legends about these structures from your captain. Watching the uninterrupted panorama of both the natural and cultural silhouette of Istanbul from your yacht's deck will be an unforgettable experience for visitors.
During your trip to Istanbul, do not miss the Bosphorus tour and if you have the opportunity, rent a yacht. When you sail into the waters of the Bosphorus with your own yacht, you will escape the chaos of the city and embark on a discovery where water and history meet. While greeting the Serasker Riza Pasha Mansion on the shores of Kandilli from the sea, you will also have the chance to see dozens of other historic mansions and palaces of this ancient city simultaneously. A yacht tour accompanied by the pure breezes of the Bosphorus is one of the most enjoyable and unique ways to experience Istanbul for both local and foreign guests. With this unique experience, you will add an unforgettable memory to your vacation while discovering the mansions that carry traces of the golden ages of the Istanbul Bosphorus.