On every trip to Istanbul, I try to find a new free place to visit. This time it was Bulgur Palace — a recently opened historic mansion. There are no tourist crowds here yet, and getting to the building is easy: it’s about a ten-minute walk from the nearest tram stop.
Walking around the property
The building, also known as the Mansion of Bolulu Habib Bey, is considered one of the most important examples of Istanbul’s civil architecture of the 20th century. It was completed in 1912. The design is attributed to the Italian architect Giulio Mongeri, although there is no definitive evidence confirming authorship.
The mansion was commissioned by Mehmet Habib Bey, an Ottoman official. Its name is connected to the owner’s nickname — the “king of bulgur.” He was engaged in trading bulgur, barley and wheat, which brought him a considerable income.
The “king” lost his palace in 1926, when the property was transferred to the Ottoman Bank due to debt. For many decades the building housed the bank’s offices and archive, and it was closed to the public.
The situation changed recently: in 2021 the mansion was transferred to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. After restoration, the building reopened in 2024 as a public space with a library, exhibition halls and a café. I was unlucky with the timing — one exhibition was being replaced by another that day — but I still had a chance to explore most of the interiors.
A walking path surrounds the mansion. Visitors can not only explore the interior but also relax outside. The building stands on a hill, offering views of the Marmara Sea and nearby neighbourhoods.
How to get there
The mansion is an easy ten-minute walk from the T1 tram stations Haseki and Yusufpaşa. A bit farther away, about 15 minutes on foot, is the major transport hub Yenikapı.
Another unusual Istanbul mansion I’ve written about is often referred to as the “haunted house.” It is home to the contemporary art museum Borusan Contemporary.
Enjoy your walks!
