HEYBELIADA

Description

Essentials about Heybeliada in brief

If you are looking for a little rest and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, you should make your way to the Princes Islands, located just outside the city in the Sea of Marmara. Heybeliada is the second largest island in the group and lies between the two other larger islands of Büyükada and Burgazada. Heybeliada is a relatively hilly island. The highest point is the 136 meters high Değirmen Tepe. In addition, Heybeliada with its dense pine forests is considered the greenest of the Princes Islands and is known for its many Greek Orthodox and Byzantine churches and monasteries.

The history of Heybeliada

Until the beginning of the 19th century Heybeliada was a fishing island, but with the establishment of schools (first private Ottoman commercial school, Ottoman Naval Academy) and by the wealthy Greek community, the island experienced a boom. After the foundation of Turkey in 1923, a sanatorium for tuberculosis patients was established on Heybeliada. The Naval Academy was moved to Mersin for security reasons during World War II, but was moved back to the island in 1946. After the Istanbul pogrom against the Greek minority in 1955, some of the island’s Greeks emigrated to Greece.

The churches and monasteries of Heybeliada

Heybeliada is known mainly for its Greek Orthodox and Byzantine monuments. Near Çam Harbor the Terki Dünya Monastery from 1868 is located. In addition there are the Aya Yorgi Uçurum Monastery (gr. “Hagios Georgios” – engl. “Saint George”) from 1758 and the Virgin Mary Church, built by Emperor John V in 1341. On the top of the northern Ümit Tepe hill there is a Greek Orthodox monastery from the 11th century. On the site of the Naval Academy is the only preserved Byzantine church called Kamariotissa. It was the last church built before the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Visiting Heybeliada

As on all the Princes’ Islands, motorized vehicles are prohibited on Heybeliada. So you have to get around on foot, by bicycle or carriage. Compared to the fast-paced Istanbul city life, this is a relaxing deceleration.