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Büyükada

Büyükada
One of the main squares of the island, with the statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
One of the main squares of the island, with the statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Büyükada is located in Turkey
Büyükada
Büyükada
Coordinates: 40°51′28″N 29°07′12″E / 40.85778°N 29.12000°E / 40.85778; 29.12000Coordinates: 40°51′28″N 29°07′12″E / 40.85778°N 29.12000°E / 40.85778; 29.12000
Country  Turkey
Region Marmara
Province Istanbul
District Adalar
Area
 • Total 5.4 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Population (2000)
 • Total 7,320
 • Density 1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 34970
Area code 0-216

Büyükada (meaning "Big Island" in Turkish; Greek: Πρίγκηπος or Πρίγκιπος, rendered Prinkipos or Prinkipo; and alternatively Πρίγκηψ or Πρίγκιψ meaning "Prince" or "Foremost") is the largest of the nine so-called Princes' Islands in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul, with an area of about 2 square miles (5 km2). It is officially a neighbourhood in the Adalar (Islands) district of Istanbul Province, Turkey.

Büyükada consists of two peaks. The one nearest to the ferry landing, İsa Tepesi (meaning Jesus Hill in Turkish), formerly Hristos (Χριστός, the Greek name for Jesus Christ), is topped by the former Greek orphanage, a huge wooden building now in decay. In the valley between the two hills sit the church and monastery of Agios Nikolaos and a former fairground called Luna Park.

Byzantine Emperor Justin II had built a palace and monastery on Büyükada in C.E. 569. A convent on Büyükada was the place of exile for the Byzantine empresses Irene, Euphrosyne, Theophano, Zoe and Anna Dalassena.

There are several historical buildings on Büyükada, such as the Agia Yorgi Church and Monastery dating back to the 6th century, the Agios Dimitrios Church, and the Hamidiye Mosque built by Abdul Hamid II. The pier was constructed and designed by Armenian architect Mihran Azaryan.

Princess Fahrelnissa Zeid was born in 1901 on the island.


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