Heybeliada

It is famous not only for its natural beauty but also for its Naval Academy, sanatorium and the Orthodox Church that was used as a school for the monks in the old days.Although it was attractive to the minority Rum (Greek origin Orthodox Turkish citizens) congregation due to the navy forces a number of Turkish families have settled there too. Today 7000 people live on the island, but this number increases up to 50000 during summer. A small church dedicated to the Virgin Mary (the last Byzantine structure built before the fall of Byzantium) is in the inner courtyard of the Naval Academy. There are also many unidentified remains on the island.

Heybeli Ada covers an area of 2.7 x 1.2 km and has 4 hills. The highest one is Değirmentepe (Mill Hill) with a height of 136 mt. The other hills are Taşocağı Tepesi (Stone quarry hill), Makarios Tepesi and Ümit Tepesi (Hope Hill). Ümit Tepesi was called “Priest Hill” and the Monk School stands on top of it. There are 4 harbors. The most important ones are the Çam Limanı (Pine Harbor) and the Bahriye Limanı (Navy Harbor). Two kinds of tours can be taken either by riding donkeys or horse-drawn carriages.

Enjoy Heybeli Ada
Heybeliada is a modest town. The road curving to right from the ferry pier leads to “fayton” stops. On the left side, under pergolas and sheds tea gardens are arranged in a row side by side. When you climb uphill first you pass through inhabited areas and then you reach the famous “Monk School” and Haghia Triada Monastery. The establishment of this school that is now “Heybeliada Rum (Greek) Boys School” reaches back to 1200. Many Orthodox monks graduated from this school up until 1971, then it was converted to high school. Although it has no students there is a school manager and an assistant. If you turn right from the pier and left behind the tea gardens, restaurants and fayton stops you can have an enjoyable walk as far as Değirmen Burnu (Mill Headland)

Değirmen Burnu Picnic Place
The headland got its name from the ruined mill standing on top of it. Entrance fee for this place in which a typical country café stands is very cheap. Several kind of grill are also available besides tea and coffee.

There are “big” and “small” tours like Büyükada.The “small” tour begins from the pier and ends at Değirmen Burnu The “big” tour begins from the market place and passes through Lozan Avenue, Refah Şehitleri Avenue and Halki Palas. Kablo Koyu (Cable Cove) is on the right. An underwater cable carries electricity to Burgazada and begins from this point, that's why it's called “Cable Cove”.At last you pass Makarinos Hill and reach Çam Limanı (Pine Harbor). Don't swim there since the pollution from the geographical structure of the cove is appaling. The building standing on top of “Çam Limanı” is the Heybeliada Sanatorium. The tour ends again near the pier.

For those who enjoy walking
If you pass through Haghia Nicola Church behind the market place and turn right you arrive at Lozan Avenue. This is a good location from which to take pictures of the old houses. The Public Library stands on your left. When you reach the remains of the once famous “Karamanyan Hotel”, just on the left is İnönü's house, the second President of Turkish Republic. Halki Palace Hotel is on the right of the road. If you climb the stairs opposite the hotel you reach a track. When you walk between the fine trees and climb the upper road you come across Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar's house, one of the most famous Turkish writers.

Well, look, see, listen, smell and touch... This island is sure to delight all your senses!

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