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ŞERİFLER Yalısı / SERIFLER Mansion

This is a building in Emirgan which derives its name from the Iranian Emir Han. He had been a close friend of Sultan Murat IV. This is the oldest water mansion on the European coast. It was built by Yusuf Pasa in 1780. Its name is related to Serif Abdullah Pasa, who had been governing the Ottoman region including Jordan, Syria and Iraq. He took over the possession of the house in 1948. During the final restoration of this building, now owned by the Ministry of Culture, fabulous frescoes have been revealed.

Ref. The Water Mansions of Istanbul, Saffet Emre Tonguç

         ICVB ISTANBUL Bulletin