| An archipelago that consists of nine
islands just a few miles from Asian Istanbul in
the Marmara Sea. It is less than an hour by ferry
from the center of the city. The islands which
are free of cars and have many beautiful wooden
houses, have a resort atmosphere and offer peace
and quiet in a natural environment. Walks or
tours with horse-carriages through the streets of
the islands, restaurants or cafes in this
peaceful atmosphere are among the simple joys to
be found on these islands. During the Byzantine
period, the islands were collectively a religious
center with many monasteries. The name
"Princes' Islands" derives from the
princes sent there in exile. Those were the ones
regarded as pretenders to the throne. During the
Ottoman period, the islands were a neglected
backwater of little interest. Non-Moslem groups
were attracted to the islands. The settlement of
a steady Turkish population on the islands came
about as late as the end of the 19C.
All nine islands
together form a municipality, the mayor being in Buyukada,
the largest of all. Buyukada and other
large ones Heybeli, Burgaz, Kinali
have permanent settlements. Sedef is also
recently becoming subject to new settlement.
Currently the number of permanent residents on
the islands is about 15,000. However this number
increases more than tenfold during the summer,
especially after the school year ends, when
summer homes are inhabited.
Buyukada was
called Megalo in the Byzantine period,
both names having the same meaning; big. The
majority of the population there at present are
Jewish. Because Kinali is closest to Istanbul it
was called Proti which meant first. Kinali
in Turkish means "dyed with henna".
Today, predominantly Armenians live there. Burgaz
was called Panormos in the Byzantine
period and is famous as the home of a Rum
minority and a well known writer of short
stories, Sait Faik Abasiyanik. Heybeli was called
Khalkitis because of its copper mines.
Heybeli is a Turkish name meaning
"saddle-bag" and the shape of the
island is similar to a saddle-bag. The other four
islands are of minor importance with no
inhabitants. Their names are Kasik, Yassi,
Sivri and Hayirsiz (Tavsan).
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| Copyright © 1997 Serif Yenen All rights reserved. NO
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site as complete and as accurate as possible,
this text should only be used as a general guide
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Last updated February 02, 2000
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