At the summit of Büyükada, the largest among the princes’ islands of Istanbul, a magnificent structure that has been shuddered with its silence for years has rises: Büyükada Greek Orphanage. This gigantic wooden building, which was the nest of hundreds of children for a period, continues to maintain both its historical splendor and its mysterious atmosphere today.
Not only with the architectural size, but also the paranormal events described, the eerie legends and the narratives circulating between the people between the people, the structure, in time “Ghost Palace”It has turned A.
One of the world’s largest wooden structures
Büyükada Greek Orphanage Although there is a variety of information about different sources, the general belief is Europe’s largest and the second largest wooden building in the world is. At the same time The world’s first multi -storey wooden structure as well as history.
The building, which was built entirely of wooden materials, was implemented with the design of Alexandre Vallaury in 1898. The orphanage, which is a gigantic structure with its five -storey main part and six -storey side wings, still arouses admiration with its glory hidden in its simplicity.
From the dream to the orphanage
Initially Prinkipo Palace Hotel The building, which was built as a tourism complex, was also wanted to be operated as casino. However, this initiative is the sultan of the period II. Abdulhamid was rejected on the grounds that it would disrupt morality on the islands ”. Thus, the hotel ended before the dream began, the building had to change hands.
The building, which was purchased by Zarifi, a rich Greek family soon, has been published in line with the edict published by Sultan Abdülmecid, for the shelter of orphaned Greek children Greek Patriarchate‘What has been transferred. The building, which was prepared with the financial support of the Andreas Sygngros Foundation, was opened in 1903 as an orphanage with a magnificent ceremony.
As of its opening, the orphanage, which has become an educational home with its 106 rooms, wide library, cuisine, primary school and vocational schools, has aimed to bring children a future, not only shelter. After graduating from primary school at the school where Greek and Turkish teachers served, the students were prepared for life by learning a profession in the art school.
War and Migration Periods
During the First World War, the orphanage confronted a completely different destiny. First, the children were transferred to other institutions, and then the building was used for military purposes. Kuleli Military School Students, during the occupation period, the Greek immigrants and then the Russian refugees fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution were housed here.
Unfortunately, when the refugees began to dismantle and burn the wooden parts of the building to protect the cold, the building was damaged. This accelerated the decay process of the magnificent building.
The beginning of the collapse
In the 1960s Cyprus issue The orphanage was closed. This gigantic structure, which was nest to thousands of children for 65 years, has been abandoned to its fate since 1964. While the non -repaired building became ruined over the years, one of the largest wooden structures in Europe was observed.
In 2005, Fener Greek Patriarchate applied to the ECHR to get the building back. With the decision of 2010, the title deed of the Greek Orphanage of Büyükada again passed to the Patriarchate. However, despite the past years, the building is still waiting to be restored.
Spooky narratives and legends
There are also stories that have shadows the history of the Greek Orphanage of Büyükada. According to rumors, some children died in a fire in the building, A child died there by falling into the well in the garden is told. The people of the island claim that they hear children’s screams from the building at night.
In addition, from the abandoned building Footsteps from nights, strange hums and paranormal events Rumors about it has survived to the present day. In some legends, it is even said that the building is the “home of vampires ..
Today’s state: a ruin that resists time
Today Büyükada Greek OrphanageHe tries to survive on the Monastery Hill like a ghost structure that scares his silence. The stairs that are about to rot, a forgotten piano in the corner, old student records and names engraved in the rows still have traces of a period.
Although it is forbidden to go in, even walking around the garden gives visitors a deep sadness. Although the building has been destroyed, it still maintains its glory and is one of the places to see for those who visit the island.
A legacy abandoned to loneliness
Büyükada Greek Orphanage is one of the most important structures of Istanbul not only from architecture but also with its cultural and historical value. This gigantic structure, where children’s laughter echoed for a period, is now known for their silence and frightening legends.
The fact that it has been abandoned to the fate of one of the world’s largest wooden structures, in fact, offers a thought -provoking picture for humanity. Perhaps this magnificent structure reminds us of the fact that “Even if you are the greatest and most glorious, your value will disappear when you are left to loneliness”.
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