Tuesday, 12 February 2008

istanbul princes islands



Istanbul Princes' Islands

Princes' Islands are popular destinations for day trips from Istanbul.

The only transport is by horse and cart on the Islands. They are

incredibly peaceful compared with the city of Istanbul. They are just

a short ferry ride from both the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.

In spring and autumn the islands are quieter and more pleasant.

However the sea can be rough in late autumn and winter.

During the Byzantine period, prince and other royalty were exiled on

the islands, and later members of the Ottoman sultans family were

exiled there too, lending the islands their present name. During the

19th century the islands became a popular resort for Istanbul's

wealthy. Victorian era cottages and houses are still preserved on the

largest of the Princes' islands, Buyukada.

Visitors can take the 'small tour' of the island by buggy, leading to

the valley between the two hills with the church and monastery of

Ayios Nikolaos and a former fairground called Luna Park, from where it

is an easy climb to Ayia Yorgi, a tiny church with a cafe on the

grounds serving wine, chips and sausage sandwiches, this being part of

the "classic" Ayia Yorgi (St. George) experience. I strongly recommend

the special homemade red wine of the church, with the excellent view

on the top of the hill.

We preferred walking. We took a forest way behind the narrow and steep

streets between the houses and walked to the Nizam Bay. Then we walked

to the south of the Island. We saw many horses around walking and

eating grass freely. Then we walked to Luna Park and climbed St.


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