Princes' Islands, A Tranquil Escape from Urban Hustle
Adalar, Heybeliada Neighborhood, Heybeliada Istanbul, Turkey
4.2
Introduction
The Prince Islands, which means "Red Islands" in Turkish, are often referred to as "Adalar" or "Islands." The islands are located in the Sea of Marmara, about 20 kilometers southeast of Istanbul, Turkey. During the Byzantine period, members of the royal family were exiled to the islands. The Ottoman Turks continued this practice, and the islands gained their name as a result.
Many churches, monasteries, and mosques from the Byzantine period to the present day are well-preserved on the islands, making them a popular tourist attraction. In the mid-19th century, steamboats began to ferry wealthy Greeks, Jews, Armenians, and Turks back and forth between Istanbul and the Prince Islands, where they purchased properties and turned them into vacation homes. This resulted in the formation of numerous small ethnic communities on the islands. Many small Victorian villas and houses are still preserved intact on the islands.
Compared to the urban hustle and bustle of nearby Istanbul, the Prince Islands are peaceful and leisurely. Address Adalar, Heybeliada Neighborhood, Heybeliada Istanbul, Turkey
Overlooking the sea from the summit of a small island
