Culture
Greek, Armenian & Jewish Heritage
The Princes' Islands were a summer home for Istanbul's minorities — and their churches, monasteries and synagogues still tell that story.
More than anywhere else near Istanbul, the Princes' Islands preserve the texture of the city's old multicultural life — a place where Orthodox Greeks, Armenians and Jews summered side by side, and left their houses of worship behind.
Greek Orthodox heritage
The islands' deepest religious roots are Greek Orthodox, from medieval monasteries to living pilgrimage sites. The most famous is Aya Yorgi (St. George) on Büyükada, a hilltop monastery whose pilgrimage days draw enormous crowds. Heybeliada adds the Aya Triada monastery and the historic Halki Seminary, the Greek Orthodox theological school.
Armenian heritage
Kınalıada has long had a strong Armenian community, and its landmark Surp Krikor Lusavoriç church reflects that presence — one reason the island feels distinct from its neighbours.
Jewish heritage
Istanbul's Jewish community has summered on the islands for generations, especially on Büyükada and Heybeliada, whose synagogues — Hesed Le Avraam on Büyükada and Beth Yaakov on Heybeliada — come alive in the summer season (roughly from Shavuot to Sukkot). To Greeks the islands were long known as Papadonisia, "the islands of the monks."
The mansions
Beyond the houses of worship, the islands' timber mansions are themselves heritage — built by the Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Levantine families who made the islands fashionable. More on the island mansions →
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Deep Greek Orthodox roots (monasteries such as Aya Yorgi, Aya Triada and the Halki Seminary), the Armenian church of Surp Krikor Lusavoriç on Kınalıada, and summer synagogues on Büyükada and Heybeliada — a rare surviving mosaic of Istanbul's non-Muslim communities.
Yes — for generations the islands were the summer home of Istanbul's Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities, which is why churches, monasteries and synagogues stand side by side with the timber mansions.
The Greek Orthodox monasteries (Aya Yorgi on Büyükada, Aya Triada on Heybeliada) welcome visitors; the synagogues open mainly in the summer season. Dress modestly at religious sites.
Ready for the islands?
Book a guided day trip with a boat cruise, free time on Büyükada and lunch.