The Princess Islands
There are very little information which belong to the history of the Istanbul islands from previous of Bizans.They exist in the works of antique age writers like Thimkus Arteminoes.

The islands are the places which countless tragedy was lived in the eastern sources.Bizans historians hardly start to mention about these monasteries from 8.century.When Latins came to Istanbul (1204),Venedik’s Duke Dandola,provaked the Latins to pillage to the islands.But,Latins didn’t attacked to the islands.The islands received  assault from Eğriboz and Girit pirates in 1302.

The coming of Turks to the islands,encounter to the Bizans emperor Manuel Paleologos’s period.The sea war which was done between Musa Çelebi and emperor Manuel near Yassıada in 1412,effected to the islands.

Approximately 1.5 months ago from Istanbul’s conquer,during the siege of the city by Fatih Sultan Mehmet,Baltaoğlu Süleyman Bey took over the islands in 17 April 1453.

Gustov Schlumberger  likens the islands sad history to the Capri’s history which he likens it to its natural beauty.
The Reşat Ekrem Koçu’s interpratation of the sad history of the islands is interesting and striking.The islands have a pitaresk natural configuration and rich history studs.To the history which is for 20 centuries is met in every step.Their hills which have been covered by pine forests,valleries which were decorated by various wild flowers,coasts which Marmara’s waves flop, can not be persuaded that the emperors who they were deprived from their crown and throne,to be destroyed with moaning in a terrible poverty under deprivation.

The islands had been abandoned to their fates until in the middle of the 19. century in the Ottoman emperor’s period.After the legal arrangement which accepts to foreigns to the possibility of getting real estate with the 1839 Tanzimat Decree,started to progress process.

First Frenchs choosed the islands as summer place district,the settlement of Turks mateiralized later.The other progress which causes the islands having importance gradually,is the voyages begining between the islands and Istnabul-Kadıköy from 1846.The ıstanbul’s richs,minorities and foreign citizens made the islands as summer place in this progress process.At the end of this progress one of the three municipality which founded in Istanbul,became island’s municipality which called 7. department.(1861)

The private Greek male highschool in Heybeliada today,is interested in with the state of the private schools in the Tedrisatı İptadiye rule in 1913.The state of the private schools was arranged with clarity with the Mekatıbi Hususiye regulations in 1915.İn the 40. and 41. matters of the Lozan Pact,the private and foreign schools have been continuing their Works in minorities culture and education claims in 24 July 1923.

The English Prinkipo Yacht Club which was founded in 1926,passed to the Büyükada Yacht Club –Taş in 1906.In 1937 it started to activity as section of the Anatolian Club by transfering to the Anatolian Club which was found with the directive of Atatürk  in 1926 and started to activity in Ankara first.

The main characteristic which separate the islands from the other counties of Istanbul are not having  a connection with the land and being a summer –place area.The islands  being a summer-house, holiday and entertainment place which are pearls and natural lungs of Istanbul and also with their rich and natural beauty,is after from the begining of 20.century.The Istanbul islands which are also known as Princess islands are totally 9 islands which are one hour distance to city centre in the Marmara Sea.The ships and sea buses which run from Haliç and Kabataş wharf run to the islands regularly.

The islands which monasteries were built in the Bizans period,became a holiday and banishment place for palace members.The copper mines were also used in Heybeli.Again in this island there is small church which was dedicated to Meryem and being Bizan’s last structure is at the upper building’court of the naval highschool.

The transportation to the islands got easy with the steamy ships which started to run in the begining of the 19.century.The increase of population had started when schools and hotels was built.The four big islands which are arranged in order side by side are famous with summer houses,pavilions and summer places which have been covered with pine groves.The islands which are crowded  between may and end of the September,in the other times are desolate.

In the enviroments of the centre of populations,have progressed in the places which looks to the city and the only vehicles of the island’s roads which their hills have been covered with pines,are the phaetons.During the season,the bays and the beachs are the attractive stations of private yachts,motorboats and sailing boats especially in the vacation days.In the Yassıada and Hayırsızada which seem first from the ships come from the city centre with conical silhouette,there is no settlement.

The first stop is the open beachs which is also around Kınalıada,is famous with the bay behind it.Here,phaetons dont work except load vehicles.The small modern mosque and old pretty pavilion are the places which attract attention.

After Kınalı,Kayalık coast and Burgazada take part.The first  famous   sailing and watersports club which are in all islands,is here.Famous novel writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık’s house was changed to the museum and his most frequented place which is famous with sunset “Kalpazankaya”is a famous local cafe.

On the way to Heybeli there is Kaşıkada(spoon island),because of the shape.With the naval museum upper structure between Heybeliada twin hills,on the other hill which is forward there is a also Greek Clergy School which is in the pines and stil not being used are the first seeing big structures.The naval highschool lies down along the coast near the island wharf.

The restaurants and cafes are on the other way.At the back side of the settlement places,there is a pretty bay and on the side which looks Kaşıkada there is Değirmenburnu picnic area,behind of the public beach and the seaclub.On the roads which surrounded the hills,in the pines,pretty and scenic walking roads are seen in the island.The island is relatively active in the winter times because of the schools and sanatorium foundations.The Halki Palace Hotel which is open all year has been giving service since the middle of 19.century.It was renewed in 1995 and all modern possibilities have been supplied.

The biggest and the famous one of the archipelagos is Büyükada.Its enviroment can be its beach except its dwellers.
The population of the islands has increased since the middle of the 19.century.When the island’s population was 1816 in 1840,is reached to 6000 in 1865. walked around in about two hours.But the half tour which is walked around in a hour is more interesting.The Yörük Ali Beach which is from public beachs of the Heybeliada side,is in a magnificent bay.It is a pretty place which is much preffered with the promenade area by the  side.The wharf’s enviroment is crowded but on the contrary the South side of the island is desolate.The bays overthere are the boat’s visit places.19.century Old Hotel which is ruined situation on the ridges of the island,maybe the biggest wooden structure in the world,has stil been struggling to standing with the yearning of the time to be brought good fortune.Büyükada is color and vivacious with its wharf enviroment restaurants,tea gardens and shops.It has four hotel which give service in the summer time.The pretty houses,well-kept gardens and unmatched wievs leave unforgettable times on people visit here.

The next Sedef Island,is open for people who visit here with its beach except its dwellers.

The population of the islands has increased since the middle of the 19. century.When the island’s population was 1816 in 1840,is reached to 6000 in 1865.The population in the islands is like this in the different times;
1927 - 11691
1950 - 15405,
1960 - 19834,
1970 - 17600,
1980 - 18232
The islands have a dense local tourism in summer time,so the population shows important increase in summers.The population increase 10 times more in summers to winters.The increase at weekends exceed this also.The houses has been using as summer-house more.Some part of the local population is working in Istanbul and go to Istanbul daily.

THE SAMPLES OF THE IMPORTANT STRUCTURES

BÜYÜKADA;Building of the headoffical(Hacapulos Pavilion),The Greek orphanage(Prinkipo Palace),The Anatolia Club Building,Twin Buildings(Castelli Houses),Splendit Hotel,Güntekin Pavilion,Con Paşa Pavilion(John Avrimidis’s House),Highia Yorgi Monastery,Agopyan Pavilion(Çankaya Hotel)

HEYBELİADA;The Naval Highschool Preparation Section,The Naval Highschool,Halki Palace Hotel,The Private Greek Male Highschool(The Old Clergy School),The Gürpınar Pavilion,The Inönü House(The Mavromatis Pavilion)The Ahmet Rasim House.

BURGAZADA;The Sait Faik Abasıyanık Museum,Güvenç House(Teachers House)

KINALIADA;Taşçıyan Palace,Nedüryan House

MAIN NEIGHBORHOODS

Büyükada
Heybeliada
Burgaz Adası
Kınalıada
Sedef Adası


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