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ALL TURKEY TOURS |
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INFORMATION |
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PRINCES ISLANDS;
An archipelago that consists of
nine islands just a few miles from Asian Istanbul in the
Marmara Sea. It is less than an hour by ferry from the
center of the city. The islands which are free of cars and
have many beautiful wooden houses, have a resort atmosphere
and offer peace and quiet in a natural environment. Walks or
tours with horse-carriages through the streets of the
islands, restaurants or cafes in this peaceful atmosphere
are among the simple joys to be found on these islands.
During the Byzantine period, the islands were collectively a
religious center with many monasteries. The name "Princes'
Islands" derives from the princes sent there in exile. Those
were the ones regarded as pretenders to the throne. During
the Ottoman period, the islands were a neglected backwater
of little interest. Non-Moslem groups were attracted to the
islands. The settlement of a steady Turkish population on
the islands came about as late as the end of the 19C.
All nine islands together form a municipality, the mayor
being in Buyukada, the largest of all. Buyukada and other
large ones Heybeli, Burgaz, Kinali have permanent
settlements. Sedef is also recently becoming subject to new
settlement. Currently the number of permanent residents on
the islands is about 15,000. However this number increases
more than tenfold during the summer, especially after the
school year ends, when summer homes are inhabited.
Buyukada was called Megalo in the Byzantine period, both
names having the same meaning; big. The majority of the
population there at present are Jewish. Because Kinali is
closest to Istanbul it was called Proti which meant first.
Kinali in Turkish means "dyed with henna". Today,
predominantly Armenians live there. Burgaz was called
Panormos in the Byzantine period and is famous as the home
of a Rum minority and a well known writer of short stories,
Sait Faik Abasiyanik. Heybeli was called Khalkitis because
of its copper mines. Heybeli is a Turkish name meaning
"saddle-bag" and the shape of the island is similar to a
saddle-bag. The other four islands are of minor importance
with no inhabitants. Their names are Kasik, Yassi, Sivri and
Hayirsiz (Tavsan)
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