Standing on the waterfront of Çengelköy, Sadullah Paşa Yalısı, also known as the Kırmızı Yalı (Red Mansion), is one of the finest surviving examples of Ottoman wooden seaside residences (yalı) on the Bosphorus. Its distinctive crimson façade, mirrored perfectly on the waters of the strait, has made it an enduring symbol of Istanbul’s architectural and emotional landscape.

The mansion was first constructed in the 18th century and later presented by Sultan Abdülhamid I to Mehmed Ağa, the Darüssaade Ağası (chief eunuch of the imperial harem). In 1872, the property was purchased by Sadullah Paşa, an Ottoman bureaucrat, poet, and diplomat who served as the ambassador to Berlin and Vienna. Under his ownership, the mansion became known for both its literary gatherings and its graceful design.

Built in the traditional Ottoman yalı plan, the mansion centers around an oval salon, from which eight smaller rooms radiate symmetrically — a perfect example of the fluidity and intimacy of Ottoman domestic architecture. Its interiors, once adorned with wooden carvings, mirrors, and delicate decorations, reflected the elegance and refinement of 19th-century Istanbul society.

The story of Sadullah Paşa adds a layer of poignant romance to the mansion’s history. While serving as ambassador in Vienna, he is said to have taken his own life under mysterious circumstances. According to local lore, his wife Necibe Hanım refused to believe the news and waited for his return for the rest of her life, keeping the yalı untouched in his memory. This melancholy tale has become part of Istanbul’s collective folklore, adding to the mansion’s haunting beauty.

Over time, the property changed hands several times — first belonging to Grand Vizier Koca Yusuf Paşa, later to his daughter Emine Hanım, and then to Hamdi Paşa, who sold it to Es’ad Muhlis Paşa, Sadullah Paşa’s father. Today, the mansion is protected by the Tek-Esin Foundation, established by the scholar Emel Esin, a distant relative of Sadullah Paşa, ensuring that this cultural treasure endures for future generations.

While the interior is not open to the public, the building’s elegant crimson exterior continues to fascinate artists, photographers, and travelers. From passing ferries or the opposite shore in Arnavutköy, the red façade glows like a living painting — one of the Bosphorus’s most unforgettable sights.

Nearby attractions include the Kuleli Military High School, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the charming Çengelköy village with its historic cafés and seaside promenade.

How to Get There

Located on the Bosphorus waterfront in Çengelköy, Üsküdar, the mansion can be seen from ferries or viewed up close from the Çengelköy coastal road.
Take a ferry to Üsküdar, then a bus or taxi north (about 15 minutes) toward Çengelköy.

Best Time to Visit

The mansion is a private residence and not open to visitors, but it is best viewed during sunset from the sea or the seaside promenade, when its red façade reflects the golden hues of dusk.