Located in the Sariyer district of Istanbul, Emirgan Park spans an area of 47.2 hectares and is surrounded by high walls. Formerly known as “Feridun Gardens,” the park was renamed after it was gifted by Ottoman Emperor Murat IV to the Persian Emir Gune Han in the 17th century. Later, Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz presented the park to the Khedive of Egypt, Ismail Pasha, in the 19th century. It can be seen that the park has been passed down through different hands for centuries.
Once you step into the magnificent Emirgan Park, you will feel as if you have entered a metaphysical world, with its breathtaking scenery and proximity to the sea. Don’t be surprised if you encounter friendly squirrels with nuts in their hands, as they often climb the trees and interact with visitors.
The park offers quiet places to relax and take in the charming landscape towards the Bosphorus, as well as ample opportunities for sunbathing, reading, and picnicking. If you’re feeling active, you can also go for a run while enjoying the sea view and the sounds of chirping birds. In addition to these features, Emirgan Korusu also boasts three beautiful pavilions: the Yellow, Pink, and White Pavilions.
YELLOW PAVILION
The Yellow Pavilion, located in the center of Emirgan Korusu, was built by Khedive Ismail Pasha between 1871 and 1878 as a guest home and hunting mansion. The wooden structure, designed to resemble a birdhouse, reflects the Turkish people’s love of birds. The upper floor of the pavilion has three rooms with a hall, while the lower floor contains four rooms with a kitchen, salon, and basement. The yellow color with white motifs was used to give the impression of a dreamy birdhouse. The pavilion is adorned with flower motifs, oil-paint figures, traditional wood carvings, and handcrafted details. The use of woodwork in the Ottoman period provides a warm atmosphere for architectural structures, and materials such as apple, walnut, plane, lime, ebony, rose and oak tree were used in the construction of this pavilion and the other two pavilions.
There is a small pool on a hill and a tiny waterfall that leads to a large lake and a cataract cave behind it. The Yellow Pavilion was previously used for resting, hunting, and hosting guests, and later served as a restaurant and cafeteria. However, it has since been turned over to the Municipality of Metropol Istanbul.
PINK PAVILION
The Pink Pavilion, also known as Pembe Kosk, is one of three pavilions in Emirgan Park. It is a traditional two-story Ottoman house with wooden covered walls, painted in a sardine pink color. The pavilion has three entrances: the protocol entrance, the front entrance, and the personnel entrance.
The first entrance leads to a large hall with two rooms opening into it. The second entrance, the protocol entrance, leads to a secret room. The first floor has a bathroom and a kitchen, while the second floor hosts a large hall, two large rooms, and another five large rooms. There are also two small case rooms located past the aisles.
The Pink Pavilion currently serves as a restaurant and cafeteria and also hosts wedding ceremonies and other events.
WHITE PAVILION
The White Pavilion, one of the three pavilions in Emirgan Park, was built by Khedive Ismail Pasha. It is located 150 meters away from the Yellow Mansion. The two-story structure reflects the artistic characteristics of the neo-classical style.
TULIPS OF EMIRGAN PARK
One of the most notable features of Emirgan Korusu is its vast collection of tulips. The park is home to approximately 90 species of trees and 3,000 varieties of tulips. Visitors can admire the beautiful tulips in various colors and forms, creating a dreamy atmosphere throughout the park.
Every year, the park holds a festival, known as the Tulip Festival or Tulip Time, to celebrate the blooming of the tulips. Tourists from all over the world come to see the tulips in full bloom, making it a popular destination during the spring season.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the beauty and history of Sariyer Emirgan Park! Tour Maker Turkey offers tours to this stunning location, contact us now to plan your trip!