Things to Do · Büyükada
The Prinkipo Orphanage
Europe's largest wooden building — a haunting former Greek orphanage on Büyükada's pine slopes.
Key facts
- What
- Former Greek Orthodox orphanage
- Where
- Büyükada (toward İsa Tepesi)
- Built
- 1898 · arch. A. Vallaury
- Claim to fame
- Largest wooden building in Europe
- Size
- ~20,000 m² · 6 storeys
- Status
- Empty · viewed from outside
Büyükada's most astonishing building is one most guidebooks skip: the Prinkipo Greek Orthodox Orphanage, the largest wooden building in Europe and reputedly the second-largest in the world.
A hotel that never was
The architect Alexandre Vallaury designed the vast timber structure in 1898 for a French company as a grand hotel and casino. When it was refused an operating licence, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate bought it and turned it into an orphanage — home to thousands of Greek children from 1903 until it closed in 1964.
What you'll see today
Roughly 20,000 m² over six storeys, the building now stands empty and weathering on the hillside toward İsa Tepesi — fenced off and on international heritage-at-risk lists. You can't go inside, but its sheer scale is striking even from the road, and it's a memorable stop on a Büyükada walk or bike ride.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
A vast six-storey wooden building on Büyükada — the largest wooden building in Europe — designed in 1898 as a hotel/casino and used as a Greek Orthodox orphanage from 1903 to 1964. It stands empty today.
No — it's fenced off and unsafe, on heritage-at-risk lists. But it's impressive from outside and easy to include on a Büyükada walk or bike ride.
On the wooded hillside toward İsa Tepesi (the northern hill), a walk or ride from the town centre.
Ready for the islands?
Book a guided day trip with a boat cruise, free time on Büyükada and lunch.