Perili Köşk, Stone mansion in Rumelihisarı, Sarıyer district of Istanbul, Turkey.
Perili Köşk is a nine-story red brick mansion on the European shore of the Bosphorus in Rumelihisarı, featuring stained glass windows and expansive interior spaces. The building blends Ottoman architectural details with later modifications.
Construction began in 1911 under wealthy businessman Yusuf Ziya Pasha but halted during World War I when workers were conscripted into the military. Parts of the building remained incomplete and vacant for decades following this interruption.
The mansion now hosts contemporary art exhibitions featuring works from both Turkish and international artists displayed across multiple levels. The space connects artistic viewing with views across the Bosphorus strait.
The building is easily accessible on foot from the waterfront promenade and visible from the shore, with views from multiple levels of the structure. Visitors should note that some staircases are steep and the grounds may be slippery during wet weather.
The second and third floors remained completely empty and unused for many years, earning the building its evocative name referring to an unsettled quality. These once-unfinished spaces are now integrated into the exhibition areas, offering visitors a glimpse of the building's interrupted past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
