Büyükada is the largest island of the Prince’s Islands in the South of İstanbul, famous for the architecture of the houses. Literally it means big island. Büyükada used to be called Prinkipo, “big” in Greek. The population of the island is over 7,000 but it is more crowded during the spring and summer time as most of the houses on the island are summer houses. 207 golden coins found in 1930 proves that the history of the island dates back to Macedonia King Filip II, father of Alexandre the Great. This treasure, called Büyükada Treasure is exhibited in the İstanbul Archelogy Museum.
Did you know?
Lev Trocki who was expelled by Stalin lived on Büyükada in 1920-1933? Every 23rd of May and 24th of September, people from different religions walk up the Aya Yorgi Church and leave offerings of olive oil and pray?
You can go on a fayton tour, rent a bike and go for a ride around the island to see the architecture of the island, have a picnic in Dilburnu, swim at Yörükali Plajı, Prenses Plajı, Nakibey Plajı, walk up to Aya Yorgi and have lunch at Aya Yorgi Restaurant with a very nice view of the islands, sea and İstanbul.
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[...] The islands also known as Prens Adaları (Prince’s Islands) are as follows: • Büyükada, 5.400 km² • Heybeliada 2.350 km² • Burgazada 1.500 km² • Kınalıada [...]