During the Ottoman period these mansions on the waterside were named "Sahilhane". Istanbul is the only city in the world through which the sea passes and it has a history of some 2700 years. Initially, and for many subsequent centuries, Istanbul was located on an historical peninsula between Sarayburnu and Edirnekapi. Building in the Bosphorus area which is 30 km. long began during the Byzantine period, with the building of the first monasteries. Later, small fishing villages started to appear on its shores. During the Tulip Period (1718-1730), waterside mansions followed one another, these creating a necklace of pearls. The name Bosphorus is derived from the mythical name of Io, the favorite of Zeus. Zeus had to turn her into a cow in order to protect Io from his jealous wife Hera, and it actually means "the river of the cow ".

HEKIMBASI SALIH EFENDI YALI

Salih Efendi, a graduate of the first medical school in the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Mahmut II, was the head physician for three sultans. He was interested in botany. He developed a special kind of rose named after him, which he personally grafted, and this rose was called ?Hekimbasi?. During the spring, the mansion's garden became a paradise of colours. It is one of the rarest mansions on the Bosphorus which still keeps its original architectural style and its original furniture. The present occupants of the mansion are the family members of Salih Efendi, who died in 1905.

Kibrisli Mehmet Emin Pasa was a Grand Vizier during the reigns of three Sultans, This yali is situated near the old Küçüksu beach and it has a private pier of 64 meters. It is still owned by the same family. The Iraqi King Faysal, and the important poet Yahya Kemal are among the many guests who have stayed here. In 1980's when there was feverish land purchasing by Arabs, the orchard of this mansion, changed ownership. The British born wife of the Pasa wrote a book called ?Thirty Years in the Harem? in 1872.

SADULLAH PASA YALI

Located in Çengelköy this mansion was famous for its interior decorations and for its very high value. Its most recent tenant was Aysegül Nadir Tecimer, the wife of a wealthy businessman. It derives its name from its original owner Sadullah Pasa. During the reign of Sultan Abdülhamit II, he was exiled for having been among the conspirers who were said to have plotted a coup bringing Sultan Murat V to the throne. He was not allowed to return to the Ottoman capital after completing his terms as Ottoman Ambassador to Berlin and Vienna. He later committed suicide. Sadullah Pasa was one of the important figures of the literary school of Tanzimat.

KONT OSTROROG YALI

Kont Ostrorog Yali is the most beautiful and historical building on the Bosphorus. The Polish-born Leon Ostrorog an expert in islamic law, served as a consultant to the Ottoman Empire. He married Jeanne, a daughter of one of the Galata bankers, the Lorando family. Among his famous guests was the French writer Pierre Loti. The present owner of the house is Rahmi Koç.

AFIF AHMET PASA YALI

This mansion, built in the Neo Baroque style by Alexandre Vallaury, architect of the famous buildings of Osmanli Bankasi and Pera Palas Hotel, was later bought by Misbah Muhayyes, the previous owner of Pera Palas. When Agatha Christie visited Istanbul to write her novel ?Murder on the Orient Express?, she was a guest in this mansion. The current owners are the Uzan family.

EDIP EFENDI YALI

The Edip Efendi yali is situated in Kandilli at one of the narrowest points on the Bosphorus. This is where the currents are the strongest. It was named after a much respected government officer of the Ottoman Empire. This yali has become a popular news item during Prime Minister Özal's reg i me, because its most recent owner Ugur Mengenecioglu has been involved in a bribery scandal. A former tenant in this yali, Dorina Lady Neave, described life on the Bosphorus during the previous century , in her book ?Romance of the Bosphorus?.

BAHRIYELI SEDAT BEY YALI

The Göksu stream, also referred to as the ?Sweet waters of Asia?, flows into the Bosphorus in Anadoluhisari, previously called Güzelce. One of the most beautiful yali in this region is the Bahriyeli Sedat Bey Yali. This house was built in the Neo Baroque style and was constructed by the grandfather of Sedat Bey, Mustafa Resit Pasa. Because of the magnificient tree in its garden, it is also called the Magnolia Yali.

ZARIF MUSTAFA PASA YALI

Zarif Mustafa Pasa Yali is one of the most beautiful and valuable mansions on the Bosphorus. It was purchased by Kani Bey, the coffee magnate of Sultan Mahmut II. in 1800's. When the yali was originally built, it was composed of three sections: the Harem, the Selamlik and the Boat-house. It was originally three times bigger than its present size. In 1848, it became the property of Zarif Mustafa Pasa. The mansion was built on the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. The Ayazma (sacred water source) of the monastery is still in its garden.

HADI BEY YALI

This mansion of the 1800's was called the Manford House. It was bought by a Greek shipowner, called Licardopulos following the British occupation of the city. Hadi Bey, a laywer, later took possession of it exchanging it with his property in Thessaloniki, Greece.It is painted with a special red ochre dye, used for these watermansions. It has become one of the most beautiful houses on the Bosphorus, following recent renovations.