The pine-forested Princes' Islands provide a welcome break from the bustle of the city and are just a short ferry ride sotheast of Istanbul.Most ferries call in turn at the four largest of the nina islands.Kınalıada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Büyükada.
Easily visited on a day trip,the islands tahe their name from a royal palace builty by Justin II on Büyükada, then known as Prinkipo (Island of the Prince) in 569. In Byzantine times the islands became infamous as a place of exile, and also as the site of several monasteries.
In the latter half on the 19 th century, with the inauguration of a regular steamboat service from Istanbul, many wealthy foreigners setted on the island. Onn who found the tolerant attitude to foreigners and generous morality attractive was Leon Trotky , who lived in one of Büyükada's finest mansions from 1929 to 1933. Ziya Gökalp, a key figure in the rise of Turkish nationalism, lived here during the waning year of the Ottoman era.
Büyükada is the largest of the Princes' Islands and it attracts many visitors because of its lovely sandy beaches, outdoor summer culture and the Art Nouveau style of the wooden sellings thet have given the island much of its lingering Ottoman atmospere Both Büyükada and heybeliada shun any from of motorized transport in favour of horse-drawn carriages od donkeys.At the top of Büyükada's wooded southern hill stands the Monastery of St George, built on Byzantine foundatios.
Heybeliada, the second largest island, houses the imposing former Naval High School built in 1942. less touristy that Büyükada, this island offers quiter pleasures such as lovely tiny beaches and walks in pine groves. The island's northern hill is the srunning location of the Greek Orthodox School of Theology, which was built in 1841. Its library famous among Orthodox scholars. is open and worth a visit.
- Population : 17.200
- Cruise boat, sea ferry : from Eminönü or sea bus from Kabataş (European side) and sea bus from Kadıköy(Asian side)
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