istanbul city guide

Istanbul City Guide

Prince's Islands:

Also known as Istanbul Islands, there are eight within one hour from

the city, in the Marmara Sea. Boats ply the islands from Sirkeci,

Kabatas and Bostanci, with more services during the summer. These

islands, on which monasteries were established during the Byzantine

period, was a popular summer retreat for palace officials. It is still

a popular escape from the city, with wealthier owning summer houses.

Buyukada:

The largest and most popular one in Istanbul is Buyukada (the Great

Island). Large wooden mansions still remain from the 19th century when

wealthy Greek and Armernian bankers built them as a holiday villas.

The island has always been a place predominantly inhabited by

minorities, hence Islam has never had a strong presence here. Buyukada

has long had a history of people coming here in exile or retreat; its

most famous guest being Leon Trotsky, who stayed for four years

writing `The History of the Russian Revolution'. The monastery of St

George also played host to the granddaughter of Empress Irene, and the

royal princess Zoe, in 1012. The island consists of two hills, both

surmounted by monasteries, with a valley between. Motor vehicles are

banned, so getting around the island can be done by graceful horse and

carriage, leaving from the main square off Isa Celebi Sokak. Bicycles

can also be hired. The southern hill, Yule Tepe, is the quieter of the

two and also home of St George's Monastery. It consists of a series of

chapels on three levels, the site of which is a building dating back

to the 12th century. In Byzantine times it was used as an asylum, with

iron rings on the church floors used to restrain patients. On the

northern hill is the monastery Isa Tepe, a 19th century house. The

entire island is lively and colourful, with many restaurants, hotels,

tea houses and shops. There are very big well-kept houses, trim

gardens, and pine groves, as well as plenty of beach and picnic areas.

Burgazada :

It is a smaller and less infrastructured for tourists.The famous

Turkish novelist, Sait Faik Abasiyanik lived there, and his house has

been turned into a museum dedicated to his work, and retains a

remarkable tranquil and hallowed atmosphere.

Heybeliada:

`Island of the Saddlebag', because of its shape, is loved for its

natural beauty and beaches. It also has a highly prestigious and

fashionable watersports club in the northwest of the island. One of

its best-known landmarks is the Greek Orthodox School of Theology,

with an important collection of Byzantine manuscripts. The school sits

loftily on the northern hill, but permission is needed to enter, from

the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Fener. The Deniz Harp Okulu, the

Naval High School, is on the east side of the waterfront near the

jetty, which was originally the Naval War Academy set up in 1852, then

a high school since 1985. Walking and cycling are popular here, plus

isolated beaches as well as the public Yoruk Beach, set in a

magnificent bay.There are plenty of good local restaurants and tea

houses, especially along Ayyildiz Caddesi, and the atmosphere is one

of a close community.