During the summer months the Princes’ Islands are popular destinations for day trips from Istanbul.
They consist of four larger islands, Büyükada ("Big Island"), Heybeliada ("Saddlebag Island"), Burgazada ("Fortress Island"), Kınalıada ("Henna Island"), and five much smaller ones, Sedef Adası ("Mother-of-Pearl Island"), Yassıada ("Flat Island"), Sivriada ("Sharp Island"), Kaşık Adası ("Spoon Island"), and Tavşan Adası ("Rabbit Island").
Our ferry called at the four larger islands
We saw some jelly fish
During the Byzantine period, princes and other royalty were exiled on the islands, and later members of the Ottoman sultans family were exiled there too, giving the islands their present name. They were taken by the Ottoman fleet during the siege of Constantinople in 1453
During the nineteenth century, the islands became a popular resort for Istanbul's wealthy, and Victorian-era cottages and houses are still preserved on the largest of the Princes' Islands
Our destination was Büyükada. As on the other islands, motorised vehicles – except service vehicles – are forbidden, so visitors explore the island by foot;
by riding a bicycle (which we chose);
or in horse-drawn phaeton carriages which function like taxi cabs, also offering "round-the-island" sightseeing tours
The views were enchanting
There are several historical buildings on Büyükada, such as the Ayia Yorgi Church and Monastery dating back to the sixth century, the Ayios Dimitrios Church, and the Hamidiye Mosque built by Abdul Hamid II
For more details of The Princes' Islands see Princes' Islands
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