What if these walls could talk? The Abud Efendi Yalısı is one of the Bosphorus’s rare remaining 19th-century yalis. It stands proudly along the Kandilli shoreline like a pearl.
The Abud Efendi Yalısı was designed by architect Karabet Amira Balyan. It was commissioned in 1830 by Altunizade Necip Bey. The Altunizades were a very rich family. They commissioned a mosque, hamam, shops, and a villa. This was in Istanbul’s Kosuyolu district during Abdulmecid’s era. Necip Bey’s father was Zuhti Pasha. He was a merchant and statesman. Necip Bey was wealthy enough to fund a mercenary unit. He covered its expenses during the Crimean War. Later, Altunizade Necip Bey sold this fine yali to Baron de Vandoevre.
Vandoevre lived at the Abud Efendi Yalısı for many years. He then decided to move back to France. Mehmet Abud Efendi became the new owner of the Abud Efendi Yalısı.
Abud Efendi gifted the yali to his wife, Saadet. Abud Efendi’s family were Turkish merchants. They had settled in Damascus. He was born there in 1839 and later settled in Istanbul. Abud Efendi achieved commercial success in Istanbul. He and his brother bought a commercial property in Mercan. Abud Efendi also commissioned the Suriye Apartment on Istiklal Caddesi. He commissioned the Meserret Oteli in Sirkeci too. His villa was on Alemdar Caddesi. The Abud family played a vital role in the era’s economy.
Abud Efendi was elected Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce in 1884. He served for 33 years. Abud Efendi was known for his honesty. He presided over the purchasing commission during the Balkan Wars. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Itibar-i Milli Bank. This was until a year before he died.
Besides his honesty, Abud Efendi was known for his philanthropy. He aided the poor. He donated to national enterprises. These included the Red Crescent, Naval Society, and the Hejaz Railway. Abud Efendi had two sons and two daughters. He arranged a huge wedding for his daughter Belkis at this beautiful Abud Efendi Yalısı. The poet Yahya Kemal was very interested in Belkis. It is rumored they talked about her at the Kandilli yali.
After Abud Efendi died in 1917, the Abud Efendi Yalısı remained with his heirs. In 1970, Belkis’ son, Mehmed Abud Bey, sold it after her death. The 270 m² Neoclassical-style yali has 18 rooms and two halls. Its harem and selamlik are separate structures. There are three boathouses sealed with iron bars beneath the two-story yali. There are coal and woodsheds. The Abud Efendi Yalısı has a pool and a small hamam. The hamam features an elegant faucet stone. A rotating stairwell provides access to the first-floor hallway. A cabinet once sent food to the upper floors.
The staircases turn left and right from the main entrance. They merge at the landing. They reach the upper floor. There is a storage cupboard beneath the staircase. The oval-shaped staircase balconies feature wide wooden panels. The upper floor turns around a semi-rectangular hall. The yali’s two balconies are on the south section of both floors. These corner balconies give the Abud Efendi Yalısı architectural uniqueness.
The Abud Efendi Yalısı was influenced by the Beylerbeyi and Dolmabahce Palace styles. The hall features open columns, heavy gold-leaf decoration, and chandeliers. Its interior decoration is imposing. It underwent a renovation between 1984 and 1989. The Abud Efendi Yalısı continues to decorate the shores of Kandilli. It challenges the modern stone building beside it.