Bornova is best known for its university, yet the district has another, far less familiar and quite enchanting side: the Levantine mansions. In the 18th and 19th centuries the British, French, Italian and Dutch families who ran İzmir's trade built their summer residences here. Today those houses are the district's most distinctive heritage — and one of the quietest history walks in İzmir that costs nothing to do.
Who were the Levantines, and why Bornova?
"Levantine" describes the European-origin merchant families who settled in Ottoman port cities and lived there for generations. In the 19th century İzmir was the Aegean's export gate: figs, raisins, cotton and carpets left for Europe through this harbour. The families kept their business at the port and built their homes in Bornova, which was green and cooler in summer. The railway made that choice practical — the İzmir–Aydın line was among Anatolia's first, and Bornova sat within its reach.
The Whittalls, Girauds and Patersons
Alongside commerce, families such as the Whittalls, Girauds and Patersons shaped the city's social life: clubs, gardens, botanical collections and sporting culture spread from this circle, and the community in Bornova is even credited with a part in bringing football to Türkiye. As the families intermarried, the mansions became something close to a family compound — which is why the buildings stand within walking distance of one another and the route almost designs itself.
The mansion route: where to start
The centre of the walk is the Big House (the Whittall Mansion), with the Paterson Mansion and other buildings of the period around it; most are now used by Ege University and public institutions. The historic Santa Maria Church on the route is worth a stop too. In the streets between the houses, high garden walls, iron railings and mature trees preserve the scale of the period — and the real value of the walk lies less in the individual buildings than in moving through that fabric.
Practicalities: when and how to visit
This is the detail that matters most: these are not museums. Because they serve as institutional buildings, entering the grounds is usually only possible during weekday office hours, and many are closed at weekends. Access to the interiors depends on permission and is never guaranteed. So build the route for the morning, treat the interiors as a bonus, and plan around the façades and the garden walk. For photographs, morning light favours the east-facing fronts while late afternoon suits the gardens.
Why they are still standing
There is a practical reason these buildings survived: they were handed over to public institutions. An empty mansion rots within a few winters; one used as a faculty, a rectorate or a cultural centre gets maintained. So most of what you see in Bornova is not a "restored museum" but a working building — students sit in the garden and a timetable hangs in the corridor. It is worth walking the route with that in mind: this is not frozen history but history still in use.
A suggested half-day plan
Mansions in the morning, lunch at a family-run restaurant in the Bornova bazaar, then a break in Büyük Park in the afternoon — a day in which you really get to know the district. If you want to finish with shopping, our one-day Bornova route carries on from there.
Where to stay
From MyMahall Hotel the start of this route is minutes away, so you are not commuting in from the city centre. Take a look at our rooms or book on (0232) 461 95 95; you can also see the hotel in our gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Levantine mansions open to visitors?
Most are not museums but buildings used by Ege University and public institutions. Walking in the grounds is generally possible during weekday office hours; access to the interiors depends on the institution's permission.
How long does the mansion route take?
Half a day is enough. The buildings around the Big House are within walking distance of each other, so no car is needed.
Who were the Levantines?
European-origin merchant families who settled in Ottoman port cities and lived there for generations. In İzmir the Whittalls, Girauds and Patersons are the best known; they kept their business at the port and their summer houses in Bornova.
What else can I add to the route?
Santa Maria Church is on the way. In the afternoon the Bornova bazaar and Büyük Park are the natural continuation.