It is a fascinating experience to travel on the Bosphorus overlooking one of the most beautiful mansions across the world. These mansions are called ‘yalı’ in Turkish. The name is derived from ‘yalos’, a Greek word meaning water front.
Emine Valide Paşa Yalı in Bebek is -to me- the most elegant and feminine of all yalıs by the Bosphorus. I have always wondered about this elegant mansion and its original owner.
Emine Valide Paşa (1858-1931)
I have recently learnt that the mansion was built by the Italian architect Raimondo D’aranco in 1902 for Emine Valide Paşa. What is fascinating is that she is the first and the only woman given the title ‘pasha’ by Sultan Abdülhamit II as the title had only been given to men all throughout the Ottoman history for their exceptional service.
Emine Valide Paşa
Emine Valide Paşa’s father was the Egyptian khedive (mayor) and her mother was the daughter of Sultan Abülmecid. She was one of the most influential figures in the late Ottoman Era.
Interior of the Emine Valide Paşa Yalı with elegant art nouveau details
The art nouveau details of the staircase
We know from history that she was an exceptional character with a strong personality. She wanted to leave her fabulous yalı to the Turkish government after her death but changed her mind as Turkish government would not recognise her ‘pasha’ status. As a lady born in the Ottoman Empire, she was attached to her title which she did not want to give up and decided to donate her yalı to the Egyptian Government instead. This is why the Egyptian Embassy in İstanbul today is located in one of the most beautiful spots overlooking an amazing view!
Details from the exterior
The word Maşallah (let Allah protect) is surrounded by art nouveau details
So if you visit Bebek, don’t forget to pass by this elegant mansion and pay tribute to the only female Pasha in the Ottoman Empire! She deserves to be remembered for building this glorious Mansion with incredibly elegant art nouveau details.
