Discover the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, Trotsky's house, and the historic mansions of Buyukada. Get offline maps right in your pocket!
Historical Places of Buyukada: Prinkipo Greek Orphanage and Historic Mansions
The most important historical places to visit in Buyukada include the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage (Europe’s largest wooden building), the mansion where Leon Trotsky lived during his exile, the house of famous Turkish author Resat Nuri Guntekin, the 1908 Splendid Palace Hotel, the Anadolu Club, the Mizzi Mansion, and the Aya Yorgi Monastery located on the island’s highest peak.
As the capital of the Princes' Islands, Buyukada is a fascinating open-air museum not only due to its natural beauty but also because of its magnificent architectural masterpieces built from the late 19th century onwards. Walking the streets of Buyukada, which bear the traces of many different eras—from Byzantine exiles to the resort culture of the late Ottoman period—is like traveling back in time.
Prinkipo Greek Orphanage: A Colossal Wooden Masterpiece
The first landmark that comes to mind when mentioning Buyukada is the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage, which rises in all its glory on Hristos (Christ) Hill. It is the largest multi-story wooden building in Europe and the second largest in the world. Originally designed as a luxury hotel and casino, the structure changed hands when it failed to obtain a permit from Sultan Abdulhamid II, and instead served as a home for Greek orphans for many years. Although abandoned today, it remains one of Buyukada's most intriguing landmarks due to its massive wooden architecture and sorrowful history.
Trotsky’s House: The Silent Witness of Exile Years
When Leon Trotsky, a leading figure of the Soviet Revolution, was exiled by Stalin in 1929, he lived in this mansion on Buyukada for four years. Also known as the Arap Izzet Pasha Mansion and located right by the sea in the Nizam neighborhood, this house holds immense historical significance as the place where Trotsky wrote his famous work, "History of the Russian Revolution." It attracts attention with its red-brick structure and expansive gardens.
Literature and Elegance: Resat Nuri Guntekin’s House and Splendid Palace
Buyukada has also been a prominent center for Turkish literature. The pink-shuttered house of Resat Nuri Guntekin, the unforgettable author of the novel "The Wren" (Çalıkuşu), is a frequent stop for literature enthusiasts in the Maden neighborhood. As you head toward the island center, you are greeted by the Splendid Palace Hotel, built in 1908. With its silver domes and Art Nouveau design, it is one of Buyukada's most iconic symbols.
Don’t Get Lost While Tracing History! Finding these unique historical structures in Buyukada's maze-like streets can sometimes be challenging. To read the detailed stories of historic mansions and draw your step-by-step route on the map, download the Buyukada Digital Travel Guide app for free. Thanks to our offline map support, you can continue exploring the island's history even if you lose your internet connection!