Emirgan is one of the most beautiful wood of İstanbul, with its tulip gardens, pavilions and unique Bosphorus scenery. The wood, which takes the form of a different kind of beauty each season, is virtually the harbinger of spring in İstanbul, with the riot of colors formed by thousands of tulips. 

The settlement in Emirgan Wood, which was named Kiparodis (Kyparades), in other words “cypresses”, during the Byzantine Era, and its surroundings, began on the middle of the 16th century. At the area, gifted to Feridun Bey, one of the Marksmen of the Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, the first buildings to be constructed were a few villas and their outhouses. This was followed by the construction of other buildings. The current name of the woods comes from those days. 

During the Revan Campaign, Murad IV had taken the city without any resistance. Emir Gune Khan, the Commander of Revan, had joined the Ottoman side, and surrendered the castle without any resistance. Murad IV granted Emir Gune Khan the title of vizier, and gifted him the woods. The wood, which was previously referred as Feridun Gardens, has started to be referred as Emirgune Wood. Emirgune became Emirgan in time. And the neighborhood’s name is also referred as Emirgan.

The wood, which changed hands for many times during centuries, was given by Ottoman Sultan Abdülaziz to Egyptian Khedive İsmai Paşa during the 19th century. 3 mansions were constructed in the woods between the years 1871 and 1878. The mansions, which reached our day, were and are named as Yellow Mansion, Pink Mansion and White Mansion. The Emirgan Wood, which has a surface area of 472 dunam, is the favorite recreation area and excursion spot of İstanbul.

The wood continues today to attract domestic and foreign tourists with its nightingales, various kinds of flowers and more than 120 different type of trees. Emirgan Wood also hosts the İstanbul Tulip Festival, which is held every April since the year 2006.