Day Trip to the Princes’ Islands

The Princes’ Islands are a sequence of nine small islands that lie off the coast of Istanbul. They need been used since Byzantine times as an area of exile for politicians, revolutionaries and royalty. Besides their dark past, the Islands are unique as no private cars are allowed, getting around is finished by horse drawn carriage, bicycle or on your own two feet. The Islands peaceful setting, lack of traffic and laid back atmosphere make them a wonderful pleasure trip from Istanbul.

Who were the Princes?

During the Byzantine era and therefore the Ottoman Empire, troublesome princes were exiled to those Islands to be blinded or perhaps executed, lending the islands their present name. During the 19th century, with the introduction of a ferry service, the islands became a well-liked summer resort for Istanbul’s wealthy. Victorian era wooden cottages and houses are preserved on the most important of the islands.

Getting There

Most ferries call successively at the four largest of the nine islands: Kinali Ada, Burgaz Ada, Heybeli Ada and at last Buyuk Ada. within the summer months, ferries make the 90 minute journey six to 10 times each day from Kabatas, the last stop on the Tramway line, (look for the jetty labeled ‘Adalar’). All islands have interesting points, but Buyuk Ada is that the hottest with visitors. The water is clean and it’s possible to swim in any respect the islands during the summer months.

In spring and autumn the islands are quieter and more pleasant, although the ocean will be rough late autumn and winter.

Kinali Ada

Kinali Ada (meaning “Henna Island“) is that the nearest island to the eu side of Istanbul (about an hour by ferry from Kabatas). This was the island most used as an area of exile in Byzantine times. this is often one in all the smallest amount forested islands, and also the land encompasses a reddish color, (hence the name), from the iron and copper that has been mined here.

Burgaz Ada

Burgaz Ada is that the third largest of the Islands, one hill 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) across. Demetrius Poliorcetes of Macedon, one among the successors of Alexander the good, built a fort here. Today the island is mostly known by the Turks simply as “Burgaz” (Turkish for “fort”). In 2003 Burgaz suffered a fire, losing 4 square kilometers (2.5 square miles) of woodland.

Heybeli Ada

Heybeli Ada is that the second largest of the Princes’ Islands within the Sea of Marmara. the big 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 college. One is Kamariotissa, the sole remaining Byzantine Church on the island and therefore the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople. The opposite is that the grave of the second English Ambassador to be sent to Constantinople by Elizabeth I of England, Edward Barton, who chose to measure on Heybeli to flee the bustle of the town.

To the correct of the jetty lies the town with its bars and cafes, a hotel that stays open all year round, and plenty of lovely wooden houses. At the highest of the central mountain is an 11th-century Orthodox monastery. It housed the most Catholic Church seminary in Turkey and Theological Seminary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The monastery attracts visitors from everywhere Greece and Turkey.

The winter population of the island is around 3,000, but within the summer, the owners of the summer houses return and therefore the population swells to 10,000 people.

Buyuk Ada

Buyuk Ada (Big Island) is that the largest of the nine islands. The monastery on Buyuk Ada was the place of exile for 3 Byzantine empresses – Irene, Theophano, and Zoe. After his deportation from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in February 1929, revolutionist also stayed for four years on Buyuk Ada, his first station in exile.

To the Left of the jetty you will find bars, cafes, hotels and seafood restaurants. watch out for the costs here! Ask carefully about prices before you order and demand on paying before they scoop your frozen dessert. Better yet, pack a picnic lunch and stroll along the shore where a number of the foremost charming wooden houses are located.

There are several historical buildings on Buyuk Ada, like the Ayia Yorgi Church and Monastery dating back to the 6th century, the Ayios Dimitrios Church, and also the Hamidiye Mosque.

Visitors can tour the island by horse and buggy. The buggy will take you near the highest of Ayia Yorgi. It’s a straightforward climb to Ayia Yorgi Church and Monastery. The Greek Style church features some relics and a few lovely icon paintings. The cafe on the grounds could be a lovely place to enjoy a tea or coffee while looking over the Marmara Sea at the opposite Islands.