Istanbul Wooden Summer Houses
A yali is a house or mansion constructed at immediate waterside (almost exclusively seaside) in Istanbul, along the Bosphorus. The wooden houses were usually built with an architectural concept that takes into account the characteristics of the coastal location. 680 Yalis in Bosporus shore of Istanbul mainly built in 18th and 19th century first for imperial family members and other important governors but later the rich people also built yalis as summer residences. A family who owned a waterside residence would spend some time in this usually secondary residence located at the sea shore. All of them are good example of Ottoman wooden architectural style.
With their façades they are one of the most important symbols of Istanbul. However almost all of them are private properties owner have to keep original shape and colors.
