Heybeliada is the 2nd largest of the four populated Princes’ Islands with an area of 2.35 square kilometres, and is just 20km from Istanbul. The island derives its name from the Turkish word for ‘saddlebag’, no doubt in reference to its unusual shape.

Halki, is the Greek name for the island, and means copper. Its mines were once so rich, they were mentioned by Aristotle. Today, some 7,000 people live on the island, but this can increase up to 50,000 over the summer months.

The laid-back pace of life on Heybeliada and the neighbouring Princes’ Islands makes for a perfect holiday retreat. The island’s traffic-free status, breath-taking scenery and fragrant pine forests however are perfectly suited to outdoor pursuits such as cycling, walking and of course, swimming.

 

Visiting the local sights:

The Byzantine Church of St. Nicholas (Hagios Nikolaos), dedicated to the patron saint of mariners, dominates Heybeliada’s main square. Designed by Haci Stefani Gaytanki and built in 1857, the church withstood a powerful earthquake in 1894. 

Heybeliada held a special place in the heat of Turkey’s first Prime Minister Ismet Inönü. His summer house, a couple of doors down from the Karamanyan and now a museum, houses artifacts and mementos of his public and family life. 

The Hagia Triada (Holy Trinity) monastery stands solemnly at the crest of Ümit hill, clearly visible upon the approach to the island. With a long and chequered history, the building housed the main Greek Orthodox seminary in Turkey until it was closed in 1971. Political discussions are underway which may, it is hoped, lead to its reopening.

Another monastery of note is that of St. George, or Aya Yorgi. The dusky pink edifice which dates back to the late 16^th century enjoys a beautiful setting to the south of the village, surrounded by pine and cypress trees. 

The Naval High School (Deniz Lisesi), originally founded in 1773, counts heads of state including King Paul of Greece (1952|), Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia (1954) and Prime Minister Zülfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan (1976) among former visitors.