Sakıp Sabancı Museum

Category: Cultural
Type: Museum
Location: Emirgan, Sakıp Sabancı Ave. Sarıyer
Date: 1925-1927
Designer: Edoardo De Nari
Period: Republic of Türkiye
Photos: Sakıp Sabancı Museum (sakipsabancimuzesi.org)

The Sakıp Sabancı Museum, located in the historic Emirgan district along the Bosphorus, is centered around the Atlı Köşk, an elegant mansion designed by Italian architect Edoardo De Nari and completed in 1927 for Prince Mehmed Ali Hasan of the Egyptian Khedival family. Originally a summer residence, the property was acquired in 1951 by Hacı Ömer Sabancı, who famously adorned the garden with a bronze horse statue by Louis Daumas, giving the villa its popular name. Over the following decades, Sakıp Sabancı expanded the family’s prestigious collection to include Ottoman calligraphy and late Ottoman and Republican-era paintings before donating the mansion and its treasures to Sabancı University in 1998. Since its official opening as a museum in 2002, the site has evolved through the addition of modern galleries and a 2005 expansion, transforming it into an international cultural hub that blends historical architecture with world-class exhibition spaces and conservation facilities.

Exterior view of a modern mansion with large glass windows, surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery, showcasing an elegant staircase and ornate balcony railing.
A scenic view of a well-manicured garden with lush green trees, shrubs, and a pathway leading to a white building under a clear blue sky.
A view of a bridge spanning across a river, with green hills and a clear blue sky in the background.
Illuminated historic mansion surrounded by trees at night.
A beautifully lit historic mansion surrounded by trees and landscaped gardens during twilight.
A bronze horse statue atop a columned pedestal, surrounded by trees and soft lighting in an evening setting, with a view of a waterfront and bridge in the background.
A bronze statue of a horse surrounded by greenery and trees at night, with a blue sky in the background.
Luxurious entryway featuring a grand chandelier, ornate furnishings, and decorative artwork, leading to a staircase with a red carpet.
Luxurious interior of a well-decorated room featuring an ornate chandelier, vintage furniture, and classic artworks displayed on the walls.
Interior view of an art gallery showcasing framed calligraphy pieces and manuscripts under glass display cases, with blue walls and focused lighting.
A display case in a museum showcasing various historical books and manuscripts under soft lighting.
Scenic view of a body of water with a ferry and small boats, surrounded by green trees and hills in the background.
Scenic view of a garden with lush greenery, palm trees, and tall conifer trees, overlooking a lake under a partly cloudy sky.
Front view of a modern, white mansion with large glass windows, surrounded by palm trees and elegant staircases.

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