"Burgaz Island,Istanbul." Top 5 Page for this destination Istanbul Travelogue by Tdiver

Being the 3rd biggest of the Prince's islands,this is often passed by as Heybeliada and Buyukada are obviously bigger and have more too see,explore and the larger number of connections and restaurants to tempt you.
Fortunately for us who know,this island is just as good ,even quieter and more relaxing.
Get down to 1/1924 or 76 meters on this MAP and houses and streets are recognisable,just keep clicking on adalar or if you have an address click on ADRES on the right side then under Ilce the city area(Adalar),then the local area Mahalle(Burgazada), then the street name Sokak/Cadde.Goster means show to stop at a various point..

Burgaz Island Mosque,Istanbul.

Horses are never far away on the islands because as most vehicular transport is banned,phaetons are the norm.Trip around the island,well half of it last 20 to 30 minutes depending on which one you take,the big or small tour.Cost is presently 20 to 30 Ytl.Half way around the island is Kalpazankaya (counterfeit rock) where you can break the tour and enjoy the view and restaurant.
Unfortunately in 2003 a fire burnt the top half of the island but it's growing back slowly and around the bottom half are still lots of shady spots to picnic at.
The island is 165 m at it's highest point,Hristos Tepesi (Hill of Christ) and covers 1.5km²

Ayios Ioanis (ST.John's) Church,Burgaz Island.

Originally called Antigoni
In Byzantine times a couple of monasteries were built on the island and although 1 is now private housing and the other ruined you can still see 1 by the Church, Ayios Giorgios (ST.George's).To reach the building walk up past the Mosque (1935) and as you see the Church take the lane just before to the right.
The Monastery on top of the island was founded by Basil of Macedon (867-886) in the name of the Holy Transfiguration of Christ the Saviour. Later renamed the Monastery of the Theokoryphotos by the priests. According to Konstantios this was substantiated by some notes in a parchment manuscript of some Greek authors. The monastery occupied the ancient temple of Zeus, it extended to all of the upper part of the mountain and overlooked most of the island, which was the property of the monastery with all its mountains and pine forests, except for the gardens and vineyards around the town. According to the Patriarch, this monastery also owned much land on the Asian shore opposite,now Kadikoy,Fenerbache and Bostanci. The monastery, to which the emperor Raomanus Lecapenus confined the magister Stephanos in 921, and which is named on a chrysobull of Manuel I Comnenus, continued after the fall of Constantinople but in 1630 it was burned on the orders of the Sultan.
ST.John's Church is now built of some of the stone from the monastery.
If you walk back into town but keep walking on the level as you reach the Mosque a few 100m away you reach Ayios Ioanis (ST.John's) Church,with the large dome.Under the entrance is a chamber where priest Methodios, who led a rebellion against Emperor Theophilos (9th century), was imprisoned for 7 years with two murderers. According to stories Methodios lived on nothing but fish,thrown down to him through a hole by fishermen. 1 of the murderers died and his body was left to rot in the cell, adding to the bad conditions. Miraculously,Methodios survived, and when the Emperor died his wife Theodora released him and proclaimed him Patriarch, and ordered a church to be built on the site(842 A.D.). The present church was built in 1896

Old ST.George's Monastery,Burgaz Island.

Just next to the Church is the Sait Faik (Abasiyanik) Museum.
Born on 18th November 1906 - 11th May 1954,was one of the greatest Turkish writers of short stories and poetry. Born in Adapazari,educated at Istanbul Erkek Lisesi. He enrolled in the Turkology Department of Istanbul University in 1928,under pressure from his father went to Switzerland to study economics in 1930. He left and lived for 3 years in Grenoble,which made a deep impact on him. After returning to Turkey he taught Turkish in Halicioglu Armenian School for Orphans, and tried to go into business but failed. After that (1934) he devoted his life to writing. He brought new life to Turkish short story writing with his harsh but humanistic portrayals of labourers, children, the unemployed, the poor. A major theme was always the sea and he spent most of his time on Burgaz Island.
Short stories :- The Tea Urn 1936, The Fountain 1939, The Serpent 1940, The Unnecessary Man 1948,The Café House 1950,Cloud in the Sky 1951,The Circus 1951,The Poolside 1952,The Last Birds,There is a Snake in Alemdag 1953,Just a Bit of Sugar 1954.
Novels :- A Set of People 1944,Wanted 1953.
Poetry :- Now, It is Time for Love 1953.
Museum address : Cayir Sokak No:15 Burgazada
Phone : +90 (0)216 381 21 32

Plane tree,Burgaz Island,Istanbul.

The islands' oldest inhabitant is this supposedly 600 year old Platanus Orientalis or Oriental Plane tree.
From the left side of the harbour head up the hill and it's on the top corner.
Small restaurant behind.

Burgaz Island view,Istanbul.

One of the amazing views from the island.
Found only 1 hotel on the island,Mehtap 45, name means moonlight.
See my Istanbul hotels page for more photos and information.

Old house,Burgaz Island,Istanbul.

Several old properties remain on the island but being mostly of wood are gradually deteriorating due to lack of maintenance.

Burgaz Island taxi driver,Istanbul.

One of the many horses on the island.