Agatha Christie, Peter Ustinov... in Istanbul...

Some Famous Wooden Waterside Mansions of Istanbul:

AFİF AHMED PAŞA YALISI

Afif Ahmed Pasha Mansion- Afif Ahmed Paşa Yalısı

This mansion, built in the late 19th Century with Neo-Baroque style by Alexandre Vallaury, architect of the famous buildings of Ottoman Bank and Pera Palas Hotel, was later bought by Misbah Muhayyes, the previous owner of Pera Palas. It is a mixture of East and West. 

When Agatha Christie visited Istanbul to write her novel ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, she was a guest in this mansion. In 1926 while she was staying at this Yalı as a guest, her car found left wrecked and she disappeared for 11 days. She resurfaced in Yorkshire and it is unclear what happened to her during those 11 days.

The mansion has a very pretty front on the seaside and it looks like a birthday cake. With 5 floors, 21 bedrooms and 4 towers it has a very glamours look. 

FAIK BEY MANSION

Faik bey Mansion- Faik Bey Yalısı

Passing by boat in Beylerbeyi, you will immediately recognize this waterside mansion with its two green Towers. This was built by Faik Bey who was the Sultan's speechwriter at Yıldız Palace in the period of Emperor Abdul Hamid II.

During Faik Bey’s residence this elegant mansion held many literature and music forums. More recently, taken in 1964, starring Peter Ustinov and Melina Mercouri's famous 'Topkapi' film used this mansion too. Today, it still contains the Ottoman architectural details, with its elegance and dignified expression, holds permanent place in people's minds.