Yılanlı Yali
One of the most prestigious mansions in Istanbul
Yılanlı Yalı, one of the most important mansions in Istanbul, stands in Bebek Bay with its magnificence and majesty that defies the years. The first owner of the mansion, which was built in the late 1700s, was Reisülküttab Mustafa Efendi.
Yılanlı Yalı is one of the most prestigious mansions in Istanbul, located in Bebek Bay, with its majestic stance that defies the traces of time. The first owner of this magnificent mansion, built in the late 1700s, was Reisülküttab Mustafa Efendi.
There is an interesting story behind why this magnificent structure, which has been repaired many times over the decades and stands out with its beauty in every period, is called Yılanlı Yalı. This name, which cannot be considered beautiful, was not given just by chance, but out of necessity.
One day, the sultan of the time saw this magnificent mansion of Hariciye Nazırı Mustafa Efendi and immediately fell in love with it. He expressed his desire to buy the mansion to Said Efendi, who was a common friend of Mustafa Efendi. However, Said Efendi thought that Mustafa Efendi would not want to sell the mansion and made up a story as a protective measure for his friend. Said Efendi began to spread the rumor that this magnificent mansion was "snake-infested." When the sultan heard these rumors, he gave up on buying the mansion. And so, the name of the mansion continues to be called "Yılanlı Yalı."
Yılanlı Yalı, one of the most important examples of classical Ottoman civil architecture, is built of wood on a stone wall. While the upper floor consoles are held by eliböğrüsülar (carrier systems), the upper floor also extends towards the sea.
As in many mansions, Yılanlı Yalı also has a harem and a greeting house. The harem of the mansion is a little small, but the sofas are quite wide. Yılanlı Yalı, with its Sakal-ı Şerif room, meşkhane, sebil room and bath behind it, was built in a completely unique architectural plan.
During a fire in 1964, the harem part of the mansion burned down and nothing was built in its place afterwards. The part seen today is the Selamlık building of the mansion in that period. The main room of the mansion is the room in the south and closest to the sea.