RECAIZADE MAHMUD EKREM BEY YALI
Named after the Tanzimat reformist era writer, Recaizade Mahmud Ekrem Bey (1847-1914), this yali embellishes the entrance to Yenikoy, situated on the European side of the Bosphorus.
Bosphorus. Dating to the second half of the 19"' century, the yali managed to remain in its original condition until 1978, whereas it was subsequently rebuilt in a manner befitting the original structure.
The first owner of this wooden building was a foreman at the Beykoz Bottle Factory named Monsieur Pigeon, who eventually sold the yali to Mahmud Ekrem Bey, who made some important additions to the yali. As a result of false accusations lodged against him, the yali was appropriated from Mahmud Ekrem Bey for a modest fee, whereas it became the property of Haci Mahmud Efendi. Having lived here for some time, Mahmud Efendi passed away in 1914, with the yali acquired by Cemil Pasha, then by one of the ministers of commerce of the era, Kabuli Pasha. The latter eventually passed away whereas the yali was inherited by his wife and sons, then by his grandchildren. It was during this period when the yali was demolished and replaced with a smaller structure.
One of the most colorful periods of the yali occurred during Recaizade Mahmud Ekrem Bey's lifetime. As one of the important representatives of Tanzimat literature, Mahmud Ekrem Bey was the son of the Minister of Takvimhane (Press Relations) of the time, Recai Efendi. The true yali of the Recaizades' is the remarkable Recai Efendi Yali, in Vanikoy, where Mahmud Ekrem Bey spent his childhood. After completing his education, he held posts such as civil servant in the Foreign Ministry, and deputy State Council; he also lectured at the Mekteb-i Mulkiye (School of State Administration) and Mekteb-i Sultani (Galatasaray) institutions. Mahmud Ekrem Bey became an important author and a member of the literary group called Edebiyet-I Cedide (New Literature) around Tevfik Fikret who published a magazine called Servet-i Funun (The Wealth of Knowledge). The most important literary personalities of the era met frequently at this yali and set up literature assemblies. Unfortunately, Master Recaizade Mahmud Ekrem was forced to vacate the premises as the result of an unsubstantiated claim made by palace informers.
The yali's architectural elements were different prior to its acquisition by Mahmud Ekrem Bey; he expanded the yali, which had been comprised of a selamlik section only, by making several additions later on. The most important of these was the harem section, which was built over the boathouse. The construction date was inscribed by Recaizade over the Kama, door there is also a monogram of M. Ekrem on all the doors. The yali is comprised of three structures arranged in a row around the rectangular courtyard. The first of these is the two-story selamlik section located in the south wing; the II-wee-story harem section situated in the center section, followed by a two-and-a-half story auxiliary building situated at the north edge. Constructed as a lath and plasterwork, the yali became ruinous over the years and was finally demolished during the 1970's. The reconstructed yali bears a glimpse of the former building's halcyon days.
