The Princes' Islands (Turkish: Kızıl Adalar [Red Islands] or more commonly Adalar [Islands] as they are officially named; classical Greek: Prinkēpōn nēsoi, Πριγκήπων νήσοι, modern Greek: Prinkiponisia, Πριγκηπονήσια), are a chain of nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, in the Sea of Marmara. Turkish ( tr Türkçe IPA) is a language spoken by over 63 million people worldwide making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage in the development of the Hellenic language family spanning the Archaic (c Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly An island (ˈaɪlənd or isle (/ˈaɪl/ is any piece of land that is completely surrounded by water in two dimensions above high tide and isolated from other significant Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches The Sea of Marmara ( Turkish: Marmara Denizi, Greek: Θάλασσα του Μαρμαρά or Προποντίς, Bulgarian These islands are Büyükada (Greek: Prinkipo, "Πρίγκηπος" meaning "Prince") with an area of 5. Büyükada ( Turkish, meaning "Big Island" Greek Πρίγκηπος Prinkipos or Prinkipo, meaning "Prince" or "Foremost" 36 km², Heybeliada (Greek: Halki) with an area of 2. Heybeliada or Heybeli Ada ( Greek: Χάλκη Chalki) is the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near 4 km², Burgazada (Greek: Antigoni) with an area of 1. Burgazada or Burgaz shortly (Αντιγόνη Antigoni) is the third largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul 5 km², Kınalıada (Greek: Proti, Πρώτη, meaning "The First", being the closest island to Istanbul) with an area of 1. Kınalıada ( Greek: Πρώτη (Proti is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. 3 km², Sedef Adası (Greek: Terebinthos) with an area of 0. Sedef Adası, meaning "Father-of-Pearl Island" in Turkish ( Greek: Τερέβυνθος Terebinthos, and in recent times also Androvitha 157 km², Yassıada (Greek: Plati) with an area of 0. Yassıada (Greek Plati) is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. 05km², Sivriada (Greek: Okseia) with an area of 0. Sivriada (Greek Οξειά (Okseia) is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. 05km², Kaşık Adası (spoon island, named for its shape) with an area of 0. Kaşık Adası, (Kaşık Adası "Spoon Island" Πίτα (νήσος is one of the nine islands consisting the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, 006 km², and Tavşanadası with an area of 0. 004 km². The islands also constitute one of the districts of Istanbul Province. Istanbul Province is a province located in north-west Turkey.
During the summer months the Princes’ Islands are popular destinations for day trips from Istanbul. As there is no traffic on the Islands, the only transport being horse and cart, they are incredibly peaceful compared with the city of Istanbul. They are just a short ferry ride from both the Asian (at Bostancı and also Kartal) and European sides (from Sirkeci/Eminönü, Kabataş and Yenikapı) of Istanbul. Kartal is a district of Istanbul, Turkey located on the Asian side of the city on the coast of the Marmara Sea between Maltepe and Pendik Sirkeci is an area in the Eminönü district of the city of Istanbul, Turkey. Eminönü is a district of Istanbul in Turkey. This is the heart of the walled city of Constantine, the focus of a history of incredible richness Most ferries call in turn at the four largest of the nine islands: Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and finally Büyükada. Ferry services are provided by Istanbul Seabuses (İDO), a firm operated by the municipality of Istanbul. Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey In spring and autumn the islands are quieter and more pleasant, although the sea can be rough in late autumn and winter.
During the Byzantine period, prince and other royalty were exiled on the islands, and later members of the Ottoman sultans family were exiled there too, lending the islands their present name. Prince, from the Latin root Princeps, is a general term for a Monarch, for a member of a monarch's or former monarch's family and is a Exile means to be away from one's home (ie city state or country while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return The Ottoman Dynasty (or the Imperial House of Osman) ( Turkish: Osmanlı Hanedanı) ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1299 to 1922 beginning with They were taken by the Ottoman fleet during the siege of Constantinople in 1453. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS During the 19th century the islands became a popular resort for Istanbul's wealthy, and Victorian era cottages and houses are still preserved on the largest of the Princes' islands. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Culture The Victorian fascination with novelty resulted in a deep interest in the relationship between modernity and cultural continuities
The Princes' Islands have become more and more ethnically Turkish in character due to the influx of wealthy Turkish jetsetters, a process which began in the first days of the Turkish Republic when the British Yacht Club on Büyükada was appropriated as Anadolu Kulübü, for Turkish parliamentarians to enjoy Istanbul in the summer. However, the Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities still constitute a small part of the islands' population. The Greeks ( Greek: Έλληνες) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighbouring regions The Armenians (Հայեր Hayer) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus and in the Armenian Highlands A large PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The islands are an interesting anomaly because they allow us to have a rare and incomplete insight into a multicultural society in modern Turkey, possibly alike to the multicultural society that once existed during the Ottoman Empire in places such as nearby Istanbul/Constantinople
For many Turkish people the islands are fondly remembered as the home of famous short story writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık and football legend Lefter Küçükandonyadis. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS Sait Faik Abasıyanık ( 18 November 1906 - 11 May 1954) was one of the greatest Turkish writers of short stories and poetry Lefter Küçükandonyadis ( Greek: Λευτέρης Αντωνιάδης, Lefteris Antoniadis) born 1925 in Istanbul, is a legendary
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Büyükada
Büyükada (Big Island - Prinkipos, Πρίγκιπος in Greek) is the largest of the nine islands consisting the Princes' Islands in the Marmara Sea, close to Istanbul. Büyükada ( Turkish, meaning "Big Island" Greek Πρίγκηπος Prinkipos or Prinkipo, meaning "Prince" or "Foremost" The Sea of Marmara ( Turkish: Marmara Denizi, Greek: Θάλασσα του Μαρμαρά or Προποντίς, Bulgarian Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey
As on the other islands, motorized vehicles – except service vehicles – are forbidden, so visitors explore the island by foot, bicycle, in horse-drawn carriages, or by riding donkeys. The bicycle, cycle, or bike is a pedal-driven, human-powered vehicle with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind
A convent on Büyükada was the place of exile for the Byzantine empresses Irene, Euphrosyne, Theophano, Zoe and Anna Dalassena. Irene Serantapechaina, known as Irene of Athens or Irene the Athenian ( Greek: Ειρήνη η Αθηναία Eirēnē) (c Theophano was a Byzantine empress She was the daughter-in-law of Constantine VII; wife of Romanos II; wife of Nikephoros II Phokas; lover of John Zoe (in Greek: Ζωή Zōē, meaning "Life" (c 978&ndashJune 1050 was Empress of the Byzantine Empire with co-rulers November Anna Dalassena (1025-1102 was an important Byzantine noblewoman who rose to the position of an Empress-Mother during the reign of her son Alexios I Komnenos. After his deportation from the Soviet Union in February 1929, Leon Trotsky also stayed for four years on Büyükada, his first station in exile. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Leon Trotsky ( Russian:, Lev Davidovich Trotsky, also transliterated Leo, Lyev, Trotskii, Trotski, Trotskij Princess Fahrelnissa Zeid was born in the island. Princess Fahrelnissa Zeid (الأميرة فخر النساء زيد or Fakhr un-nisa (1901 in Büyükada, İstanbul,
There are several historical buildings on Büyükada, such as the Ayia Yorgi Church and Monastery dating back to the 6th century, the Ayios Dimitrios Church, and the Hamidiye Mosque built by Abdul Hamid II. The 6th century is the period from 501 to 600 in accordance with the Julian calendar in the Christian / Common Era. Abdülhamid II His Imperial Majesty Sultan of the Ottoman Empire ( Ottoman Turkish: عبد الحميد ثانی `Abdü’l-Ḥamīd-i sânî, İkinci Abdülhamit Büyükada consists of two peaks. The one nearest to the iskele (ferry landing), Hristos, is topped by the former Greek Orphanage, a huge wooden building now in decay. In the valley between the two hills sit the church and monastery of Ayios Nikolaos and a former fairground called Luna Park. Visitors can take the 'small tour' of the island by buggy, leading to this point, from where it is an easy climb to Ayia Yorgi, a tiny church with a cafe on the grounds serving wine, chips and sausage sandwiches, this being part of the "classic" Ayia Yorgi (St. George, in Greek Άγιος Γεώργιος) experience.
Heybeliada
Heybeliada (Greek: Χάλκη Chalki) is the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Heybeliada or Heybeli Ada ( Greek: Χάλκη Chalki) is the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly The Sea of Marmara ( Turkish: Marmara Denizi, Greek: Θάλασσα του Μαρμαρά or Προποντίς, Bulgarian It is a neighbourhood in the Adalar district of İstanbul. Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey The large Naval Cadet School overlooks the jetty to the left as you get off the ferry. There are two interesting pieces of architecture on the grounds of the school. One is Kamariotissa, the only remaining Byzantine church on the island, and more importantly the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople. Constantinople (Κωνσταντινούπολις Konstantinoúpolis, or gr ἡ Πόλις hē Polis, Latin: la CONSTANTINOPOLIS The other is the grave of the second English Ambassador to be sent to Constantinople by Elizabeth I of England, Edward Barton, who chose to live on Heybeli to escape the bustle of the city.
To the right of the jetty lies the town with its bars and cafes, a hotel that stays open all year round, and many lovely wooden houses.
At the top of the central mountain is an 11th-century Greek Orthodox monastery, it housed the Halki seminary, the main Greek Orthodox seminary in Turkey and Theological Seminary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article concerns the buildings occupied by monastics. For the life inside monasteries and its historical roots see Monasticism. The Halki seminary was established on Oct 1, 1844 in Halki (Heybeliada the second largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is a specialized and often live-in Higher education institution for the purpose of instructing students History Early history Christianity in Byzantium existed from the time of the Twelve Apostles, but it was in the year 330 that the Roman Emperor The monastery, attracting tourists from all over Greece and Turkey. Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches
To prevent the island from becoming polluted, the only motorized vehicles permitted on the island are service vehicles (ambulance, fire, police, and the like) the only forms of transport are by foot, horse and buggy and service transport . Walking (also called ambulation) is the main form of Animal Locomotion on land, distinguished from Running and crawling A horse and buggy (in American English) or horse and carriage (in British English) refers to a light simple two-person Carriage of the 19th Transport or transportation is the movement of people and goods from one place to another There is no airport; the only way of getting there is by boat.
The winter population of the island is around 3,000, but in the summer, the owners of the summer houses return and the population swells to a 10. 000 people. The main attractions during the summer are small-scale open-air concerts laid on by the local council, a swimming and fitness club next to the sea, and an annual Independence Day march. which is commemorated by a resident naval band touring the island.
Burgazada
Burgazada is the third largest of the Islands, a single hill 2 km across. Burgazada or Burgaz shortly (Αντιγόνη Antigoni) is the third largest of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul Demetrius I of Macedon, one of the Diadochi (Successors) of Alexander the Great, built a fort here and named it after his father Antigonus I Monophthalmus. Demetrius I (337-283 BC Greek: Δημήτριος) called Poliorcetes (Greek Πολιορκητής) ("The Besieger" son of The Diadochi (plural of Latin Diadochus, from Greek Διάδοχοι, Diadokhoi, "successors" were the rival successors Alexander the Great ( or, Mégas Aléxandros; July 20 356 BC June 10 or June 11 323 BC also known as Alexander III of Macedon (el Ἀλέξανδρος Γ' Antigonus I Monophthalmus ("the One-eyed" (382 BC - 301 BC son of Philip from Elimeia, was a Macedonian nobleman general and Satrap The island took this name, but today is generally known by the Turks simply as "Burgaz" (Turkish for "fort"). In 2003 Burgaz suffered a forest fire, losing 4 square kilometres of woodland.
Burgaz is a common setting and even a major theme for writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık, where he also resided. Sait Faik Abasıyanık ( 18 November 1906 - 11 May 1954) was one of the greatest Turkish writers of short stories and poetry Today, his residence is kept as a museum. At his favourite restaurant in Kalpazankaya (the counterfeiter's rock) one will also find his bronze statue enjoying the view with a glass of rakı freshly filled everyday by the restaurant owners. Raki ( Turkish: rakı rakɯ is a non-sweet usually Anise -flavored Apéritif that is produced by twice distilling either only
Kınalıada
Kınalıada (meaning "Henna Island") is the nearest island to the European side of Istanbul (about an hour by ferry from Sirkeci). Kınalıada ( Greek: Πρώτη (Proti is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. This therefore was the island most used as a place of exile in Byzantine times (the most notable exile being the former emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, after the Battle of Manzikert, 1071). The Battle of Manzikert, or Malazgirt, was fought between the Byzantine Empire and Seljuq forces led by Alp Arslan on August 26 1071 near Manzikert This is one of the least forested islands, and the land has a reddish colour from the iron and copper that has been mined here.
Sedef Adası
Sedef Adası, meaning "Mother-of-Pearl Island" in Turkish (Greek: Τερέβυνθος Terebinthos, and in ancient times also Androvitha or Andircuithos) is one of the smallest islands of the archipelago, and has 108 private homes. Sedef Adası, meaning "Father-of-Pearl Island" in Turkish ( Greek: Τερέβυνθος Terebinthos, and in recent times also Androvitha Turkish ( tr Türkçe IPA) is a language spoken by over 63 million people worldwide making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly The section that's open to the general public largely consists of a beach hamlet. The island is mostly private property and the current pine forests were largely planted by its owner Şehsuvar Menemencioğlu, who purchased the island in 1956 and also played an important role in the imposition of a strict building code to make sure that the island's nature and environment will be protected. It is not allowed to build houses with more than 2 floors.
The island's Greek name, Terebinthos, means 'turpentine', which suggests a significant presence of the Turpentine tree or Terebinth in earlier times. Turpentine (also called spirit of turpentine oil of turpentine wood turpentine gum turpentine is a fluid obtained by the Distillation of Resin obtained from trees Terebinth ( Pistacia terebinthus) also called turpentine tree is a species of Pistacia, native to the Mediterranean region from In 857 AD Patriarch Ignatios of Constantinople was sent in exile to the island, where he was imprisoned for 10 years before being re-elected as Patriarch in 867 AD. Events By Place Europe The Vikings raid Dorestad. Byzantine Empire Michael III St Ignatius or Ignatios (Ιγνάτιος (c 797&ndash877 Patriarch of Constantinople from July 4, 847 to October 23, 858 Events By Place Byzantine Empire September — Basil I becomes sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
Yassıada
Yassıada (Greek: Plati) was used by the Byzantines for sending prominent figures into exile. Yassıada (Greek Plati) is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara. One such person was the Armenian Patriarch (Catholicos) Narses who was first sent to this island before being imprisoned at Büyükada in the 4th century AD. The Armenians (Հայեր Hayer) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus and in the Armenian Highlands A large Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a Pater familias over an extended family Catholicos (plural Catholicoi) is a title used by the Patriarch (head/regional head Bishop) of any of certain Eastern churches Saint Nerses I the Great was an Armenian Catholicos (or Patriarch) who lived in the fourth century Büyükada ( Turkish, meaning "Big Island" Greek Πρίγκηπος Prinkipos or Prinkipo, meaning "Prince" or "Foremost" In the 11th century AD the Byzantines used the island for political prisoners. The remains of the 4 underground prison cells from this period can still be seen. The Byzantines also built a monastery and church on the island. Yassıada (Plati) was captured by the Latin Crusaders during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. The Fourth Crusade (1202&ndash1204 was originally designed to conquer Muslim Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt.
In 1857 the island was purchased by the British ambassador Henry Bulwer, brother of novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who built himself a mansion and a small castle-like structure to live undisturbed on this distant island. Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the (William Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer 1st Baron Dalling and Bulwer, GCB, PC ( 13 February 1801 &ndash 23 May 1872) was a Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton 1st Baron Lytton ( May 25, 1803 – The tiny castle and the wharf in front of it are still standing today. Henry Bulwer also organized agricultural production on the island to self-sustain his little realm at least to a certain degree, but later sold Yassıada to the Khedive of Ottoman Egypt & Sudan, Ismail Pasha, who, however, didn't construct any new buildings and completely neglected the island. For the HMS Khedive, see ''USS'' Cordova. Khedive (from Persian for "lord" was a title first This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Isma'il Pasha, known as Ismail the Magnificent (إسماعيل باشا ( December 31, 1830 &ndash March 2, 1895) was Wāli
With the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 the island became a property of the Turkish state, and in 1947 Yassıada was handed over to the Turkish Navy which built several school buildings. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Turkish Navy (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.
It is also where the trials of the members of the former ruling party, Demokrat Parti, were held after the military coup of 1960. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Several of the defendants were sentenced to death, and three of these, including the former Prime Minister of Turkey Adnan Menderes, were executed. This is a chronological list of Prime Ministers of Turkey, since the establishment of that position in 1920, during the Turkish War of Independence. Ali Adnan Ertekin Menderes ( 1899 - September 17, 1961) was a Turkish liberal statesman and the first democratically elected leader
After the end of the trials, Yassıada was given back to the Turkish Navy and lessons continued to take place at the naval school buildings until 1978. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)
In 1993 the island became a property of Istanbul University's department of Marine Life and Sea Products, which used it for lessons and research. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Istanbul University (İstanbul Üniversitesi is Turkey 's main and oldest prestige University. But the strong winds on the island made life hard for the students and eventually classes were held elsewhere.
Today the island is a favourite location for scuba diving schools like Balıkadam Türkiye as well as amateur divers.
Sivriada
Sivriada (Greek: Okseia) meanwhile is deserted. Sivriada (Greek Οξειά (Okseia) is one of the Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. The island was often used by the Byzantine clerics as a distant place for peaceful worship, and by the Byzantine emperors as a convenient prison to detain prominent people whom they deemed troublesome. The first famous person to be imprisoned on the island by the order of emperor Nikephoros was Platon, the uncle of renowned cleric Theodoros Stoudites, for publishing books of pagan antiquity. Other famous people who stayed on the island for religious and political reasons were Gebon, Basileios Skleros, Nikephoritzes (the close servant of Michael VII Ducas), Patriarch John of Constantinople and Patriarch Michael II of Constantinople. The graves of those who died on the island during the Byzantine period can still be seen today.
The ruins of a Roman settlement and a 9th century Byzantine monastery can still be seen on the shore, close to the fishermen's shelter, a small wharf which is often used by yachts. The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The most important buildings on the island were built in the 9th century AD, including a church, a chapel dedicated to religious martyrs, a monastery on the eastern end (with its walls still seen today) and a cistern in the center of the island (a part of which can still be seen. )
In 1911 the governor of Istanbul ordered the stray dogs in the streets to be gathered and deposited to Sivriada, but a severe earthquake which immediately followed the event was perceived as "a punishment by God for abandoning the dogs" and they were transported back to the city.
External links
- District governor's official website (Turkish)
- District municipality's official website (Turkish)
- Istanbul islands Photographs (clickable map)
- Istanbul's isle of diversity from the Christian Science Monitor, By Yigal Schleifer, July 28, 2005
- The islands that refused to motorize Sustainable Transport, an ITDP publication, By Yaakov Garb, Fall 2002
- Interactive Maps: MultiMap.com, FallingRain.com
- Istanbul islands Turkish Daily News
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