"A Mansion of Art Similar to the American Rockefeller family, the Turkish Sabancıs are a wealthy business family known for their philanthropy and art patronage. The Sakıp Sabancı Museum was originally a showcase of the family’s collection of Ottoman and Turkish calligraphy, decorative arts, and paintings, housed in an elegant Italianate summer mansion. A modern gallery extension has been added for temporaryexhibitionsof works from artistsas diverse asAi Weiwei and Heinz Mack. While the terrace restaurant has been closed, the space is now used for events such as theater performances and alfresco yoga classes in season. The museum can be reached by bus from Taksim, but better to appreciate the Bosphorus views if you arrive by ferryboat to Emirgan. Wednesday is a free admission day with extended hours."
