The ‘saddlebag’ that makes a holiday perfect – walking tour Istanbul
Heybeliada, Heybeli ada or simply Heybeli is the greenest and the second biggest island of the Princes’ Islands. And it can be part of customized Istanbul tours. It is in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Actually, the Princes’ Islands are only an hour away from Istanbul. Heybeliada has always been a favourite summer resort during Byzantine and Ottoman eras. During the different historical periods it had different names.
During Byzantine Period the island was known as Khalkitis or Chalki. Chalki comes from the Greek word chalkos, which means copper. Once upon a time there used to be copper mines which are no more in use nowadays, but they explain the name of the island. Turkish name – Heybeli, means ‘saddlebag’. This time the name is given because of the low place between the hills.
There are nine islands in the Princes’ Islands group and the ferry stops at four of them only. A daily private tour easily can be arranged for Heybeliada or Buyukada.
The most beautiful and impressive one is Heybeliada. What a release and surprise it is for the visitor when they step on the island and see no car traffic. To prevent the islands from becoming polluted the only motorized vehicles allowed are the ones of service (fire, rubbish, police, ambulance). Transportation is generally provided by traditional horse-drawn phaetons, and the roads on the island were designed for walking and cycling. You can have peaceful and enjoyable Walking Tour Istanbulon the island.
Turkish Naval Academy
Turkish Naval Academy, founded in 1773 is situated on the island. And there are two interesting pieces of architecture on the grounds of the school; – one is Kamariotissa (or the Monastery of Virgin Mary) – the only remaining Byzantine church on the island, and more importantly the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople and the other one is the grave of Edward Barton, the second English Ambassador sent to Constantinople by Elizabeth I of England. He spent his last days in Heybeli in order to escape the plague raging through the city in 1598.
Beautiful landmark (private guided Turkey tours)
Another beautiful landmark is the 11th-century-Greek Orthodox Monastery which functioned as a Greek Orthodox theological school until 1971, when it was closed on the government’s orders. The monastery attracts tourists from all over Greece and Turkey. Most of the historical buildings of Heybeliada which survived through centuries are used as houses today.
There are two museums as well – one is the house of Ismet Inonu, the second President of Turkey. And the other one is the house of Huseyin Rasmi Gurpinar, an early Republic writer. And also there are also cafes, restaurants, hotels; a public beach, the facilities of the marine sports club, and the famous Degirmen picnic area. There are special paths for hiking over the hills and through the pine groves.
The charming island of Heybeliada is expecting you (Ephesus day trips), somewhere there – part of the Princes’ Islands group; in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul.
Update…
Unfortunately, for us and the tourists, but not for the horses, all the traditional horse-drawn phaetons have been banned with the order of the municipality of Istanbul on 14 June 2020. After a deadly illness among the horses, all of them have been bought by the municipality and retired. Phaetons have been replaced with electric cars.
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I loved the article. Especially the part with no car traffic… It’s not a common thing nowadays. I live in a big city and places like Heybeliada sound very attractive to me. I love Istanbul anyway…;-)