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The nine
small islands about 20
km (10.5 miles) southeast of the
center of Istanbul in
the Sea
of Marmara (Google
Map) were
called
the Princes Islands by
foreign chroniclers (because of
Byzantine emperors'
practice of sending bothersome
princes there to be blinded, exiled
or executed), but today's citizens
of Istanbul call them simply Adalar ("The
Islands").
In
medieval times they were the sites
of monasteries,
away from the bustle and temptations
of the city., but with the advent
of steamships and convenient ferryboat
service the 19th century, the four
larger islands—Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada and Kinaliada— became summer
resorts. Istanbul's
wealthy Ottoman families,
especially Greeks, Jews and
Armenians, built elaborate Victorian
summer cottages along the narrow
island-village streets.
The
quiet ambience of a century ago is
preserved
today as no private motor vehicles
are allowed on any of the islands.
Everyone walks, or rides bicycles,
or takes horse-drawn carriages (fayton).
In
summer, six
to 10 ferries a day make
the 90-minute
voyage from the Kabatas ferry
dock to
Kinaliada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada. More...
The
voyage is half the fun as your ferry
enters steams down the Bosphorus
and into the Sea
of Marmara, showing you Topkapi
Palace, Ayasofya,
the Blue
Mosque, Seraglio Point, and
indeed all of Istanbul,
from a different angle.
On
your first visit go to Büyükada,
the most interesting island, where
you can take an island tour by horse-drawn
carriage, or rent a bike and
tour the island yourself, and have
lunch or dinner, and sip drinks,
and even perhaps have a swim at
one of the tiny beaches.
Note
that the islands get mobbed on
summer weekends. In July and August, plan
your visit for a weekday (Monday
through Friday) if possible. More...
Büyükada
and Heybeliada even have a few hotels,
should you want to stay the night,
but reserve
well in advance in summer, especially
on weekends.
Prices are high for food and
lodging, as all provisions must be
brought to the islands by boat, and
because the islands are a popular tourist
destination. Unfortunately, ripoffs
are not uncommon. (Here's
a traveler's disturbing report.)
You
may want to bring
a picnic lunch and beverages with
you from Istanbul. Don't forget
your bathing suit as you
may find the chance for a dip in
the sea.
By the way, the five smaller islands—Tavsan,
Yassi (Plati), Sivri (Oxia), Sedef and Kasik (Pita)—are
not served by ferries and are essentially
uninhabited, although Yassiada was
the detention site of ex-prime minister Adnan
Menderes in
1961 while he was being tried by
a military tribunal for subverting
Turkish democracy. He was found guilty
and executed there.
Büyükada
Heybeliada
Burgazada
Kinaliada
Transport
to the Princes Islands
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