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Not only a geographical wonder, the Bosphorus—the great strait that divides Istanbul in two—is a living tapestry spun with threads of architecture grandeur, history, and culture. Like pearls strung on a silken cord, over 600 ancient palaces and villas line its coast, each a monument to the bygone years and the great people who once walked their halls. Many labelled as historical monuments of the highest degree, these amazing buildings provide a fascinating window into Istanbul’s rich and legendary past.
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Among these Bosphorus jewels, the oldest is the Köprülü Palace, sometimes known as the Amizade Hüseyin Pasha Mansion. Apart from being a visual feast, this 314-year-old architectural gem silently documents important historical events. The Ottoman Empire underwent a major turning point in its history when it signed a treaty giving Russia, Austria, and Poland control of some European territory within its boundaries.
Built in the eighteenth century, the Snake Palace tells a fascinating story. Originally the palace of Nazır Mustafa Efendi, Sultan Mahmud II wanted it. Seeking to guard his house, Mustafa Efendi hired his smart friend Said Efendi. Said Efendi cleverly disseminated a rumour suggesting the palace was overrun with snakes. Faced with serpents, the superstitious Sultan dropped his plans; the palace still bears its unusual name today.
Rising majestically on a prime site under the second Bosphorus bridge, the Zeki Pasha Palace, sometimes referred to as the Stone Castle, is evidence of grandeur of the 20th century. Several owners—including Sabiha Hatun, the daughter of the last Ottoman Sultan—have passed over this imposing stone edifice with more than twenty rooms. Still enthralls guests with its strong architecture and legendary past.
The Afif Ahmed Pasha Palace in Kadıköy is a wonderful blend of history and literature. Built on the foundations of a fortress built by Alexander the Great and an architect from Skopje, this palace has seen the creative genius of Agatha Christie, who wrote her famous book “Murder on the Orient Express” inside its walls. Filming movies and series including well-known productions like “Aşk-ı Memnu” and “1001 Nights” has also sought-after this timeless beauty and sophisticated ambiance.
Comprising an amazing 64 rooms, the Duke Burhaneddin Palace is among the biggest and most lavish Bosphorus palaces. Originally bought by Sultan Abdülaziz in 1911 for his nephew, the Erbilgin family owns the palace and it is among the ten most expensive homes in the world, valued at an amazing $150 million. Its grandeur and opulent appointments transport one to a bygone age.
Designed for the Aristarhis family in 1863, the Said Halim Pasha Palace is a masterwork of neoclassical architecture. Following the death of his father, vizier Said Halim Pasha bought the palace and became its only proprietor. Though it suffered a terrible fire in 1995, careful restoration has brought it back to its former splendor; today, it is a popular site for weddings and other events.
Built in the 18th century, the Çürüksulu Palace, tucked away in Üsküdar, is a magnificent illustration of Ottoman architecture from that age. Carefully rebuilt in 1971, this beautiful wooden construction provides a window into the elegant tastes and workmanship of the day.
Among the older Bosphorus palaces, the Sadullah Pasha Palace has seen many historical events. Sadullah Pasha bought it in 1872 but was subsequently banished to Vienna for criticizing Sultan Abdülhamid II’s government, where he sadly committed suicide. Adding a moving layer to the palace’s history, his wife Nedjibe never accepted his death and kept cooking his preferred meals and clothes until her own death.
Another architectural treasure on the Bosphorus, the Mahmud Nedim Pasha Palace captures the cosmopolitan tastes of its namesake, the Ottoman ambassador to Vienna. Mahmud Pasha’s experiences in Vienna and Prague are demonstrated by the palace’s remarkable mix of Ottoman and European architectural forms. Later on, his grandchildren sold the palace for three million dollars to the Turkish Red Crescent.
Rising on the remains of a Byzantine monastery, the Zarif Mustafa Pasha Palace is among the most exquisite and valuable palaces on the Bosphorus. There is historical mystery added by the garden of the palace still showing traces of the old monastery. The palace’s pool used to be a refuge for local girls when women were forbidden from swimming in the sea; today, it is a lovely café.
Gift to the princess from her husband’s family was the 19th-century masterwork, The Princess Rukiye Palace. Its sophisticated architecture and rich past act as a reminder of the grandeur and romanticism of the age.
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