You might notice a ghost house in Ortaköy when you are passing by with a ferry. It is a huge mansion that stands erect as a ghost house by the Bosphorus overlooking one of the most beautiful sceneries in the world.
Esma Sultan (1873-1899)
Esma Sultan was the daıghter of Sultan Abdülaziz who was one of the most progressive of all Sultans. She married only when she was 16 and had 5 kids. Death struck her extremely young. She passed away giving birth to her last child only at the age of 26. This Mansion which stands the test of time regardless of the fire that turned it into ashes belonged to her.
The mansion was in dire conditions for years and had been used for different purposes during the Republican Era until it burnt down in 1975.
A painstaking reconstruction has been done to ‘bring the building to life’. Here is the story of how it was brought back to life by Gökhan Karakuş.
Now, this ghost house is owned by the Marmara Group which has turned it into a venue for concerts, receptions, events and weddings.
I would highly recommend you to see a concert in Esma Sultan in summer for a midsummer night’s dream by the Bosphorus!
Let’s lend an ear to Gabrielle Cavassa singing a Turkish song at Esma Sultan during the İKSV Jazz Festival!
Check it out at: https://www.themarmarahotels.com/tr/esma-sultan
