There are very few examples of Ottoman mansions left in Istanbul due to a couple of reasons. One has to do with the rising population of Istanbul right after 1950s that have crushed the city. The numbers have risen from hundreds of thousands to millions. It is estimated that Istanbul has around twenty million inhabitants. This is an incredible number for a historical city that needs to preserve its architectural heritage and unfortunately it has failed to do. Another reason is Turks’ relationship with history. Being of nomadic roots, Turks in general are not sensitive towards the traces of the past so most civilian buildings from the past have been torn down to build apartment blocks, shopping centers, roads and even car parks. The only exceptions to the norm are holy places such as religious schools, mosques and buildings that belonged to the Ottoman Dynasty. That is the main reason that Abdülmecit Mansion which is a beautiful example of late Ottoman mansion could survive to this day.
The good news is that one can visit Abdülmecit Mansion on the Asian side on the hills of Kuzguncuk. The Mansion belonged to one of the last Ottoman Sultans who was a very progressive person interested in painting and classic music. He loved painting himself and his paintings reveal a very enlightened world.
This Mansion was his summer house which must have felt like a refuge on the hills of the Bosphorus. Originally it was inside a huge forest which so little has remained. Historians say this is the remaining part of the Mansion called Selamlık (referring to the section of the Mansion complex where men lived) whereas the other buildings such as the harem (where women lived) were abolished through out time. The Sultan used this house to host his guests who were artists, politicians and prominent literary figures of his era. The architect was Alexandre Vallaury who was a leading French architect of his time.
Mansion hosts a range of art exhibitions which may enable you to visit the Mansion. A wonderful example of exhibitions the Mansion hosted was ‘Elegance from Past to Future’ dedicated to female clothing from the Ottoman Era to the Modern Republic for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The exhibition is over but you can have access to its catalog through internet. Looking through the book, you will able to see the journey of elegance from the Ottoman past till the roaring 20s in Turkey.
When you are inside the garden and visiting the Mansion itself, you will get a chance to see how Ottoman aristocracy lived in the 19th century. You will notice that the Mansion is wooden which is more typical of civilian architecture in 19th century Istanbul. You will be amazed to see how elegant the whole Mansion is with ornamentations and paintings inside as well as outside the Mansion. It is a reminder of the world before us in which there was more elegance and calmness.
Please have a look at this short documentary if you want to know more about Abdülmecid and his era. The ‘Prince’s Extraordinary World’ will give you a further glimpse of one of the last Sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
After you visit the Mansion, don’t forget to drop by Divan close by for a meal or drinks. Divan belongs to the Koç Group that currently owns Abdülmecid Mansion and is a patron of this precious heritage.
