Halic, the Golden Horn, was so polluted in the past that I always thought the reason for those two islets was pollution. I found out later they have been in Halic for centuries since the Roman times. The islets are called Kosmidion during the Roman period and Bahariye during the Ottoman period just like the neighbourhood between Eyup and Silahtaraga. Bahariye and the islets were the center of attraction with all those gardens and mansions where people went for walks, row and had nice time, especialy during the Tulip Era in 17th century.
After the republic in 1923, the factories built around Halic shores made the water and islets so polluted until the 90’s when the factories were shut down and the water was purified. Today Halic is much cleaner and the birds are using the islets as breeding area again beside the rabbits left by the fisherman.
