Princes' Islands

Group of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, northern Turkey, about 20 km/13 mi southeast of Istanbul. Büyükada and Heybeliada are the largest of the isles, which are renowned for their relatively unspoilt beauty; traffic remains mostly horse-drawn. Tourism is a major and rapidly expanding industry.

History Numerous monasteries and convents were established on the islands during the Byzantine period, but the area received little attention from the Ottoman Turks. In the early 19th century, the isles became a retreat for foreign diplomats and ex-patriates based in Istanbul, and a haven for Greek, Armenian, and other minority groups. With the advent of the new Republic of Turkey in the 1920s, they gained popularity with the Turks as a summer resort.

Islands Büyükada, the original Princes' Island, is the largest and most populated of the group, with Greek and Armenian communities established in the 19th century. Neighbouring Heybeliada (ancient Chalkitis) was an important source of copper in classical times, and became an Armenian Protestant colony during the Ottoman period. In 1992 both Büyükada and Heybeliada were designated as centres of tourism. Kinaliada or ‘Henna Island’, named after its red cliffs, and Burgazada are also popular tourist destinations. Other notable islands in the group include Yassiada, which contains a high-risk prison, and a castle built by the British ambassador Henry Bulwer who purchased the isle in 1857; and the uninhabited Sivriada where Istanbul's stray dogs were marooned in 19ll.