HISTORY

There is very little information on settlements on Büyükada before the Byzantian Empire. The most important find on Büyükada, which was probably settled in the Antique Ages, is the Büyükada Treasure of gold coins belonging to the Macedonian King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, near the Greek Orthodox cemetery in the Karacabey district in 1930. The treasure, comprising 207 coins in total, is in the Istanbul Archeological Museum. Büyükada, like the other Istanbul Islands (Prince Islands)was famous for its prisons and monasteries during the 7 centuries of Byzantian rule. During this time, due to contentions for the throne and conflicts of political and religious nature, princes, princesses, men of the church were exiled to Büyükada and subjected to horrible tortures.

About six weeks before the conquest of Istanbul by the Turks and during the siege of the city by Mehmet the Conqueror, Baltaoğlu Süleyman Bey captured Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada with a fleet. Büyükada, which had a fort, held out slightly longer.

Peace reigned after the conquest of the islands by the Turks. The local people earned a living by fishing and farming, while the monks in the monasteries continued their lives of reproducing hand written religious books.

The Turkish people started settling on the islands when small vessels started runs to the islands in 1846. The run became regular with the arrival of larger vessels in 1875, after which the population of the islands rose rapidly. The islands became popular with foreigners as well as rich Turks, and mansions, villas, hotels, buildings reflecting the architectural styles of the times, churches and a mosques were built. In 1861, the Islands Municipality Organization, known as the 7th Department, one of the first three municipality councils, was formed, and based at Büyükada.

The island sustained considerable damage during the earthquake in 1894, and the market fire at the beginning of the 1900’s. After 1945, there has been an increase in the number of Turks coming to the island for the summers, and building has spread along the shore from the vicinity of the boat landing and into the foothills. Büyükada, declared a protection area in 1984, retains the distinction of being one of the most exclusive places in Istanbul.

BÜYÜKADA GUIDE

PLACES TO SEE ON BÜYÜKADA

ACCESS TO BÜYÜKADA