MEDIHA SULTAN - DAMAT FERIT PASHA YALI

Located in Baltalimani, which was once a popular promenade and excursion destination, the Mediha Sultan Yali is also known as the Baltalimani Palace.

The architect of the- Wild century yali was Sarkis Balyan, from a family that left an impact upon other landmark works constructed in the 19th century.

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One of the yalis in the district where many of the eras Prominent personalities' summer palaces and Falls were located was the wooden yali of Mustafa Reid Pasha, who held the office of grand vizier under Sultan Abdulmecid no less than six times, and who kicks started the Tanzimat reform movement. It was here that a trade treaty between the Ottomans and the British was signed in 1838, which eased restrictions on foreign traders and encouraged a mini-economic boom. Later, it was occupied by his son Galip Bey, who had married Sultan Abdulhamid's daughter Fatma Sultan. During the reign of AbdulAziz, the shore palace was to be allocated to French Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie during their planned visit to the country, which led to a reorganization of the vicinity, with some new pavilions and buildings built at this time.

The sultan palace remained vacant for a brief period after the death of Fatma Sultan in 1883. In 1887, Fatma. Sultan's sister Mediha Sultan wrote a letter to Sultan AbdulHamid II in which she mentioned her desire to reside at the shore palace, AbdulHamid replied by writing that he accepted his sister's request, wishing her happiness and fortune. When Mediha Sultan married Damat Ferit Pasha, the couple moved into this palace and resided here for a long time. This is why the palace is also referred to as the `Mediha Sultan Palace' or the `Damat Ferit Pasha Palace'. After Damad Ferit Pasha married Mediha Sultan, he commissioned the construction of a selamlik chamber which is known as the 'Pasha Chamber' to the north side of the building which is still intact. Later on, the sultan palace remained vacant upon the death of Mediha Sultan. It was turned over to the Fishery Institute during the early years of the Republic. In addition, to the priceless furniture and paintings of the palace, Damad Ferit Pasha's rich library was also sold at an auction held in January 1925. Today, the harem section of this beautiful shore palace is operated as an orthopedic hospital, while the selamlik section is utilized as a social venue operated by Istanbul University.

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This Neoclassical style ashlar block structure is comprised of two floors. While the lower floor has 22 rooms, 13 service rooms and eight halls, there are 11 halls, seven service rooms and seven halls on the upper floor. The most attractive portion of the structure is the hall in the middle of the first floor. This features a ceiling adorned with rectangular and square shapes, as well as marble cladding, polychrome marble fireplaces and mirror-covered walls. With eight marble columns apiece, the garden and sandal entries best reflect the yak's Neoclassical style. Many sections of the building were damaged during the time it served the Fishery Institute, whereas some embellishments were damaged during restoration work conducted in later years. Despite all these negative developments, this shore palace remains one of the precious structures of Bosphorus with a calligraphy-inscribed fountain in the Efendi Bedroom, ceilings heavily embellished with unique designs in each section, as well as halls featuring marble and granite posts. One of the shore palace structures positioned inside the courtyard was the Imperial Pavilion, which was reduced to ruins and eventually demolished. The auxiliary chambers and kitchens in the garden as well as the hamam situated on the cliff behind the structure were removed during the shore road construction. A sea hamam in the garden which filled with seawater from its foundation has long since disappeared. One of the finest buildings of its time along the Bosphorus, the Baltalimani Palace takes a fond look back at its halcyon days while welcoming visitors who drop in to discover a myriad of curative remedies inside.