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A historic waterfront mansion on Istanbul’s Bosphorus, widely recognized as the filming location for the “council” scenes in the Turkish TV series "Valley of the Wolves," has been put up for sale with a price tag of ₺170 million (approximately $3.8 million) for a partial share, drawing renewed attention to one of the strait’s most distinctive properties.
Located in Kandilli, the Abud Efendi Yalisi is being offered on the market as a 15.23% share, highlighting how ownership of historic waterfront mansions in Istanbul is often divided among multiple stakeholders. The asking price places the listing among the most notable high-value real estate offerings along the Bosphorus, where such “yali” residences—traditional Ottoman-era seaside mansions—are considered symbols of prestige and heritage.
The mansion, designed by renowned Ottoman architect Garabet Balyan, stands out with its two-story wooden structure, white facade, and red-tiled roof. Set on a plot of around 1,500 square meters, the building offers a total usable space of approximately 540 square meters, organized around a traditional layout.
Originally purchased in 1900 by Mehmet Abud Efendi, the residence remained in use by the Abud family until 1981. Its design features symmetrical window arrangements, projecting bay sections, and a wide terrace opening directly onto the Bosphorus, reinforcing its status among the region’s distinguished waterfront homes. The property also includes an adjacent annex and a tree-lined rear garden.
Beyond its architectural appeal, the yali gained widespread recognition through its appearance in Valley of the Wolves, a long-running Turkish crime drama created by Osman Sinav and Raci Sasmaz. The series follows undercover agent Polat Alemdar as he infiltrates mafia networks, often weaving in references to political themes.
Within the show, the mansion served as the setting for high-level “council” meetings, scenes that came to symbolize power and authority. Over time, this association helped turn the property into one of the most recognizable filming locations in Turkish television history.
As property values along the Bosphorus continue to rise, historic mansions such as the Abud Efendi Yalisi stand out not only for their heritage but also for their place in popular culture.
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