Leon Trotsky’s Historic Istanbul Home for Sale

An Istanbul villa once occupied by the Marxist revolutionary Leon Trotsky during his exile from Stalin’s Russia has been put on the market for $4.4 million.

Located on Büyükada Island near Istanbul, the three-storied, 3,600 square meter (38,750 feet) mansion boasts 18 rooms and 5 bathrooms.

One of the four Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmara, Büyükada is a popular day-trip destination and is accessible via ferry from the Turkish metropolis.

The house is in a bad state of disrepair after years of neglect.
Photo: Selj via Flickr

Trotsky arrived at the island in 1929 after being deported by Joseph Stalin. According to Hürriyet, he lived in the house for four years with his second wife, Natalia, and his grandchild, Sieva. Trotsky eventually moved to central America where he was murdered in Mexico in 1940.

“It is falling into ruins and needs thorough works,” Mustafa Farsakoglu, a former mayor of Büyükada revealed.

The Russian revolutionary lived in the house four four years during his exile.
Photo: biography.com

“If the Turkish ministry of culture could give the money, it could be bought, renovated and turned into a cultural centre or museum,” he said.

“In any case, it is a classified building and whoever builds it can’t turn it into apartments, or a hotel, or a restaurant.”

An unnamed real estate agent told AFP, “It’s actually not the first time there has been an attempt to sell this house, but no one wants it. Its owner, who lives in Istanbul, has not carried out the necessary works.”

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