Zeki Pasha Mansion

Located in the Rumelihisarı district, right next to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the Zeki Pasha Mansion attracts the attention of everyone passing through the Bosphorus with its magnificent structure and castle-like exterior. Resembling a small fortress thanks to its imposing stone body and wide-roofed silhouette, this historical mansion offers an impressive view along with the panoramic Bosphorus scenery surrounding it. Looking from the waters of the Bosphorus, the mansion's spacious garden stretching beyond its high walls and its pier extending into the sea are also visible; the historical atmosphere surrounding the entire structure allows visitors to feel both the traces of the past and the natural beauty of Istanbul at the same time. The Zeki Pasha Mansion, both for its strategic location and its architectural splendor, is one of the iconic buildings that are always noticed during a Bosphorus tour.

History of the Zeki Pasha Mansion

The Zeki Pasha Mansion was built during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. The mansion was built in the early 20th century during the reign of Abdülhamid by Tophane Marshal Zeki Pasha, commissioned from the renowned architect Alexandre Vallaury. Zeki Pasha, a prominent commander of the time, had the mansion constructed as a summer residence for his family, particularly during the summer months. However, after the declaration of the Second Constitutional Era in 1908, Zeki Pasha fell out of favor, was removed from his post, and passed away in 1914 without being able to reside in the mansion for long.

Following the Pasha's death, this magnificent mansion, considered one of the "pearls" of the Bosphorus, passed from family hands and changed hands over time. Ömer Faruk Efendi, son-in-law of the last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed VI Vahdettin, became the first owner of the mansion; he purchased it from Zeki Pasha's family and resided there for a time with his wife Sabiha Sultan and their children. In 1924, with the exile of Ottoman royal family members abroad, Sabiha Sultan was forced to leave Istanbul, and the mansion changed hands again during the Republican era. Purchased in the 1930s by the Baştımar family, a prominent family in Istanbul, the Zeki Pasha Mansion was used as a private residence for many years. Having largely preserved its historical character, the building was put up for sale in October 2019, advertised as "one of Turkey's most expensive residences." Still privately owned today, the mansion is under state protection due to its cultural heritage value.

The Architecture of Zeki Pasha Mansion

Zeki Pasha Mansion, where Ottoman and Western aesthetics meet, immediately stands out from other mansions on the Bosphorus with its design by Alexandre Vallaury. Blending the Ottoman mansion tradition with the European Baroque style, the building is remarkable for its castle-like monumental architecture and fine details. Its facades feature Baroque-influenced decorations, column-motif window openings, and decorative bands that continue between the floors. Another feature of the mansion is that, unlike most traditional Bosphorus mansions, it is built entirely of masonry (stone); the use of cut stone instead of wood has made the structure more resistant to risks such as fire and earthquakes, giving it the solidity of a small "coastal palace". Furthermore, thanks to the rocky ground on which it was built and its strong foundation, it has remained standing as one of the tallest structures on the Bosphorus for 130 years.

Main architectural details and features:

• The mansion is a structure consisting of a total of 5 floors and contains 23 rooms, 5 lounges and 8 bathrooms.
• Each floor has 6 rooms, 5 of which have a direct view of the Bosphorus.
• It has a large garden of approximately 4,000 m² and a private pier 130 meters long.
• The building can be accessed both from land (from its garden) and from the sea (from its own pier).

All these features elevate the Zeki Pasha Mansion beyond the classic Ottoman mansions, making it one of the most magnificent examples of civil architecture on the Bosphorus coast. The historic mansion, with its unique location and architectural splendor, is an indispensable part of the Bosphorus skyline.

Exploring Zeki Pasha Mansion by Yacht

Being able to see the Zeki Pasha Mansion in all its splendor from the sea is a privileged experience in Istanbul. While taking a Bosphorus tour on a private yacht, unlike the crowded ferry routes, you can slow down at any point you wish and examine this historical structure up close. Although the building is not open to visitors, it is possible to fully appreciate the details of the mansion and its harmony with the Bosphorus view while passing by it on a yacht. Moreover, today, yacht rental prices on the Bosphorus offer many options to suit different budgets; therefore, experiencing this is no longer an unattainable luxury as one might think. While sailing on your own route, you can experience the tranquility of seeing this mansion in the shadow of Rumeli Hisarı from the sea, and enjoy the unique view of Istanbul. Enjoying the reddish glow of the sunset hitting the stone facade of the mansion, or the reflections of its silhouette on the water under the moonlight, from a boat exclusively yours, makes your trip unforgettable. In short, seeing Zeki Pasha Mansion from the sea with a private yacht tour in the enchanting atmosphere of the Bosphorus is the most enjoyable way to both be alone with history and discover the hidden beauties of Istanbul.