History

Büyükada Treasure including golden coins belonged to Philip II, King of Macedonia- father of Alexander the Great, which was found in vicinity of Greek Orthodox cemetery located in Karacabey locality in 1930, is the earliest archeological discovery related to island’s history. The complete treasure consisted of 207 golden coins is currently in Istanbul Archeology Museum. The islands were captured one month before conquer of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the Conqueror.

Historical buildings

The highest hill of the island is the home of Ayia Yorgi (St. George’s) Church and Monastery. The first building in this location was built in 6th century. In this location, remains of many churches and monasteries are found. Some of them reached today while some of them are only ruins now. On Isa Tepesi (Jesus Hill), Hristos (Jesus) Church and Monastery and Orphanage building are existed. Even though Greek Orphanage is ruined today, it is still one of the largest wooden monoblock buildings of the world. St. Demetrius Religious Community Church in Kumsal quarter is another important religious building of the island. The small number of Orthodox community in the island conducts all important rituals in this church. Among the 4 mosques in the island, Hamidiye Mosque built by the order of Sultan Abdulhamid II has the most attracting architecture. Constructed with western influences, this building is located in Ada Cami Street.

Tourism

Thanks to its historical and natural beauties, It is one of the most preferred resort places for domestic and foreign tourists. The transportation is provided by bicycles and horse carriages as the motor vehicles are banned (except of official cars) in the island. There are four beaches who would like to enjoy sea:

• Yörükali Beach
• Prenses Beach
• Nakibey Beach
• Kumsal Beach

The house in Nizam neighborhood hosted Leon Trotsky who lived here between 1929-1933 after he was exiled by Stalin- Soviet leader who was Georgian in origin and the house of Reşat Nuri Güntekin, a famous writer in Maden neighborhood attract attention of visitors of the island.

Ayia Yorgi church and monastery occupy a special place: Every year, on 23rd April and 24th September, it is possible to see that numerous people pray according to their beliefs, make wishes or request a prayer from an Orthodox priest wearing a black cassock for heal after they climbed a hill of 200 meters.

Largest of the islands of Istanbul, Büyükada has a surface area of 5.4 square kilometers and it is 2.3 km away from Maltepe coast, and its population is 7,335 including population in Sedef island as of 2000. Being used as a place of exile and monasteries during Byzantine period, Büyükada was the island where emperors imprison and exile their close relatives, statesmen, opponents as they worry that these people could weaken their power. Especially being the oldest building of the island hosting women of the dynasty and priests lived in seclusion and could not reach today, the Women’s Monastery witnesses many exiles. Without doubt, the most interesting exile was the exile of Empress Irene who ordered construction of this monastery. Büyükada settlement is organized as having two neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are Nizam and Maden. Having too many steep hills, the island has two important hills; at the south Yüce Hill (St. George) and at the north Hristos (Jesus) Hill. At the western front of the island, the foreland named Dil Burnu having 500 m wideness is found and at the north of it Nizam Bay and at the south of it Yörükali beach are located. In 19th century, the start of ferry trips to Büyükada when its population reached up to 3000 was a milestone and then, a gradual increase in population of the island was observed. In line with the ferry trips, intellectuals from Istanbul and Prominent Greek people moved to the island and this in turn enriched the architectural profile of the island, and in addition, daily visits of people from Istanbul during summers as well as considerable increase in summer house vacationists provided an important contribution to the vividness of the island that is also seen today. Büyükada was conquered by Ottoman navy, under command of naval commander Baltaoğlu Süleyman Bey on 17th April 1453, and the time required for capture of the island was rather long than the time required for other islands; and after this conquer, the demography of the island was changed and in time it has become the symbol of multiculturalism. Definitely, the most beautiful example of multiculturalism is the peaceful and harmonious existence of mosques, churches and synagogues on the same piece of land. In second constitutionalist period declared in 1908, Sultan Abdulhamid II ordered some of his ministers and generals to settle in the island, and thanks to the mansions and villas constructed by such dignitaries Büyükada attained a rich and sumptuous appearance. In addition, Trotsky one of the prominent politicians of Lenin period and exiled from Russia during Stalin period stayed in Büyükada for four years. With the order of to settle some of tens of thousands of White Russians escaped from civil war in Russia in 1920’s who came to Istanbul in Büyükada, the cosmopolite structure of the island was improved while its cultural harmony was delighted with diversity attained in many areas. The most important praying places of Büyükada are; Hristos (Jesus) Monastery o Isa (Jesus) Hill, St. Demetrius Religious Community Church in Kumsal quarter where Orthodox community of the island conducts all important rituals, and Jewish synagogue and Hamidiye Mosque built by the order of Sultan Abdulhamid II in 1895 which are also located in Kumsal quarter. In addition; two churches of Armenians and Latin people, other churches constructed by Orthodox people, and mosques took their place with settling of Turkish habitants are other religious places distinguished. Besides these praying places, historical spring waters Ayios Konstantinos, Ayia Fotini, Ayia Paraskevi and Ayios Yeorios named as holy springs by Orthodox people are some other places that attract attention in the island. Büyükada Treasure including 207 golden coins belonged to Philip II, King of Macedonia- father of Alexander the Great, which was found in vicinity of Greek Orthodox cemetery located in Karacabey locality in 1930, has been included to the collection of Istanbul Archaelogy Mueum. This treasure has a significant place in Büyükada history as it reveals the deep roots of the island’s history. Where cyristalline face of green and blue still clean and its nature not destroyed with concrete blocks, Büyükada is still one of our islands that shelters eye-catching steps of Istanbul stave.