Ali Riza Bey Konagi

At 274 years old, this mansion is magnificent, and every corner has something beautiful to discover. If you’re in the area, it’s a must-see.

It’s a lovely place. If you get the chance to stay there, take it. Even just sitting by the fireplace with Turkish coffee or a glass of tea is a treat.

That cool September evening at the mansion has stayed with me. We had tea and a wonderful conversation in a place that carries traces of three centuries of life, and I could see how happy Mrs. Seher and Mr. Mümtaz were to preserve the past for the future. I’d been visiting Hopa when close family friends of my daughter Serap and my son-in-law Hüseyin Kadıoğlu invited me over. As I approached in the evening, the mansion looked magnificent. Mrs. Seher and her husband, Mr. Mümtaz, greeted us at the door, and inside there was a beautiful atmosphere. I couldn’t stop admiring the details of this cultural treasure. Some places and things are hard to put into words. You need to come, see and touch them, feel them, and breathe the air inside to really understand. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t envious of the stone room downstairs. As we left that warm, welcoming place, we thanked Mrs. Seher and Mr. Mümtaz for what they’ve preserved for Hopa and its children without changing its essence. Melahat and Muammer YİĞİT.

We had a wonderful night in a place that’s 270 years old, and the stone part of the mansion has its own nostalgic charm. Seher Hanım and Mümtaz Bey are lovely people, and their love and respect for history and art show in every corner. We also couldn’t get enough of Seher Hanım’s breakfast.