The Princes' Islands are an archipelago of nine islands that are administratively one of the districts of the province of Istanbul. Their name they received, thanks to the appointment, which they used rulers first Byzantine, and then the Ottoman empires. All rancorous representatives of royal families and royal persons referred to it here
In the 19th century, mostly wealthy representatives of Armenian, Jewish and Greek communities began to rest, but gradually the population became more Turkish due to the influx of Turkish capital.
Today Princesava The islands are one of the most common destinations for one-day excursions from Istanbul. You can get here only by ferry, and only horse-drawn transport operates on the territory of the islands, and bicycles that can be hired (about 25 lire a day).
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Islands
The names of each of the islands are not only exotic enough, but also quite difficult to pronounce.
Büyukada ("big island")
Büyükada is the largest area of all, which is already clear from the name . Its area is 5, 4 square kilometers, and the number of the population that it accommodates is 7,400 people . It was he who was the main place of reference for the most august persons - pretenders to the emperor's throne . For a while on the territory There was a nunnery in the island where unwanted women were sent to, as well as elderly monks . It is interesting that the Empress Irina, who is the creator of this monastery, later herself became his dweller .
From the 19th century, ferries , and gradually the island begins to be popular both among tourists and among representatives of the Turkish nobility. A distinctive feature of Buiucad is the unique neighborhood of mosques, Christian churches and a synagogue. St. Dimitri's temple is still in operation, and the Orthodox is given the opportunity to plunge into the holy springs - Ayazma.
Here is also the unique wooden building of the orphanage - the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world.
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Heibeliada ("island with a bag")
The island of Heybeliada is in the second place in size and its name is due to the similarity with the saddle pack - "heide". Its dimensions are approximately 3 kilometers in length and 1, 5 in width. Once he called the island Demonisos, and it contained three monasteries, as well as a small fishing village. Gradually, from the 19th century, the population began to increase, thanks to the ferry communication with the mainland. In the 20th century, the Trade School, the Naval School and other institutions start to appear here.
The lovers of Christian shrines will be interested in the church of St. Mary of the 14th century, the monasteries of Terki Dunya and Ayia Yorgi Uchurum. In addition, Haybeliada is popular with tourists in the summer season, thanks to numerous sightseeing tours.
- Find out which island was spent 4 years of life by Leon Trotsky.
- To participate in a unique tour on donkeys on any of the islands.
- Visit the first private zoo in Istanbul to Burgazada.
- Find out why in one of the restaurants in Burgazy the owner fills the glass daily in the hands of the monument.
- Try Raki - the national Turkish liquor.
Burgazada (fort, fortress)
By area, Burgazada occupies an honorable third place. From the port of Istanbul, this island is 15 kilometers away, while it has almost a square shape: both its length and width are 2 kilometers. It was settled only since the 20th century by the Turkish nobility, but until now the indigenous population does not exceed 1500, while in the season simultaneously up to 15 thousand people can be on the island.
The main attraction of Burgazada is the church of Ayia-Yani. It was built in the 9th century, and the last restoration took place here only in the 19th century. For those who love antiquity, visiting the island will be a real gift. Under the church there is a dungeon, which can be descended to 11 steps.
In addition, there is a monastery of Christ, the first building of the sanatorium in Turkey, as well as the holy spring Ayios Loanis.
Kinalali ("island with henna")
On this, the fourth in a row, the island ends with the beauty of the Princes' Islands. Its name is due to the color of the soil, which has a characteristic shade from the iron contained in it. Here you can find a relatively small amount of greenery, but a large number of stones: it was from here that during the heyday of the Byzantine Empire materials were removed for the construction of fortress walls. Due to lack of greenery, Kinalali is not very popular with tourists.
Sedefadas ("mother of pearl")
The smallest of the inhabited islands of the group. Earlier on the island, evergreen trees grew abundantly, which made it look like a mother-of-pearl from afar. Today, as a result of erosion, greenery declined, but after the island was transferred to private ownership in the 20th century, construction of a settlement was organized here, and today it again receives tourists.
Other islands
The islands Kashikadasy ("island-spoon"), Iasiada ("carnal island"), Sivriada ("pointed island") and Tavshanadasy ("hare island") are not populated, therefore do not represent special value for tourists.