Although the islands of Istanbul are very popular, the existence of Vordonisi Island is not known to many. However, this mysterious island attracts attention with its strange past. Vordonisi is the smallest and closest island to Istanbul. The island is located just below the lighthouse when viewed from the Küçükyalı-Bostancı coast. Its distance to the coast is approximately 700 meters. Vordonisi Island, which is still sometimes visible only from its top, remains mostly invisibility today.
Vordonisi Island; Monastery Rocks consist of two small islets called Bostancı Collapsed Island and Höreke. The island is also called Vordonos Island. Although it is considered to be the 10th island of Istanbul, it is known that it was submerged during the great Istanbul earthquake that took place about 1000 years ago. The ruins that emerged with the sinking of the island contain many information and mysteries about the past and life of this island.
Efforts are being made to open the Vordonisi island to tourism and to include it in the UNESCO World Heritage list. In this regard, especially the studies led by Maltepe Municipality have been accelerated. Although diving has been done many times in the past, studies on Vordonisi have increased recently. However, the pollution rate of the Sea of Marmara poses a challenge for the tourism and diving activities of the island of Vordonisi.
Before the sea level rose, the structures on the island of Vordonisi were clearly visible. Today, while traveling by ferry from Bostancı to Büyükada, you pass by two lighthouses. The second lighthouse is called “Çakar” by the local people. Vordonisi island is located just opposite the Küçükyalı-Bostancı coast, under this second lighthouse, about 3 miles from the coast. While sitting on the beach, the foamy field in the sea points to the island of Vordonisi.
Interesting Story of Vordonisi Island
Prince Islands, one of the peaceful corners of Istanbul, consists of a total of nine islands, namely Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada, Sedefadası, Yassıada, Sivriada, Kaşıkadası and Tavşanadası. However, there were actually 10 islands, big or small, in Istanbul. Vordonisi Island was discovered as a result of examining the Istanbul map drawn by the Fener Greek Patriarchate in 500 AD, one of the oldest maps of Istanbul. The island was used as a monastery before it sank. The sinking of the island is attributed to the successive earthquakes in Istanbul.
Vordonisi Island, like other islands, hosted exiles and clergy during the Byzantine period, and its most important structure is the Vordonisi Monastery. This monastery was built by the monk Photios. While Photios was living as a quiet monk, he was summoned to the Palace and given various duties when his brother Sergios married the sister of Empress Theodora. Finally, when Greek Patriarch Ignatios was dismissed, he became Patriarch of the Orthodox Greek Church at the age of 38. Former Patriarch Ignatios was exiled to a monastery in the Küçükyalı region.
The main disagreement between the two patriarchs is the iconoclastic opposition known as “Iconoclasm”. They disagreed on whether to use icons in churches or not. The first act of the new Patriarch Photios is to bring the Bulgarian Church under his rule. Then he took a stand against the Papacy in the Vatican and criticized its practices. After this event, the Christian world experienced a great division.
The overthrown Patriarch Ignatios had a beautiful monastery built on the ruins of the Bryas Palace in Küçükyalı, and this monastery was named Satyros (Satiros) Monastery. However, events developed and everything turned upside down. Patriarch Photios was dismissed and exiled to Vordonisi Island and Ignatios was appointed as Patriarch again. After the death of Ignatios, Photios became Patriarch again, he served as Patriarch for 11 years and was dismissed again in 867. He spent his last years in the monastery on Vordonisi Island.
Vordonisi Island Dissolved by Earthquake
Istanbul, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, has faced many earthquakes throughout history. In July 1010, the city was shaken by one of the biggest earthquakes in its history. In this earthquake, the island of Vordonisi disappeared under the waters of the sea, along with its inhabitants. Recent scientific research has revealed that no similar risk is foreseen for other islands. Because all the islands are built on granite cliffs, they have a more robust geological structure. Vordonisi, on the other hand, is geologically different from other islands as it is built on an alluvial layer.
Although the island of Vordonisi is a story and legend passed down through generations, it was rediscovered by re-examining the Fener Greek Patriarchate’s map of Istanbul dated 500 AD. On the map of Istanbul, it has been determined that the island of Vordonisi is the closest and the smallest island to Istanbul. The person who made this discovery is Büyükadalı Dr. Akilla Millas.
Dr. Thanks to the work and research of Akilla Millas, the island of Vordonisi has resurfaced from among the lost islands. Known for his interest in the history and maps of Istanbul, Dr. Millas examined the old maps of the Fener Greek Patriarchate and discovered the existence of the island of Vordonisi. This discovery brought to light the forgotten and unknown story of the island and revived interest in the island.
As a result of the research carried out by Alessandra Ricci, Lecturer in the Department of Medieval Latin Studies at the University of Salerno, Italy, it was revealed that the twin of the Satyros Monastery was located on the island of Vordonisi. Today, it has been determined that the ruins next to the Küçükyalı, Çınar Mahallesi neighborhood mosque and the headman’s office are the 9th century Satyros Monastery or Bryas Palace. This structure was built in 1936 by Prof. Dr. It was discovered by Semavi Eyice.
Allegedly, there were long corridors or underground passages extending from the Satyros Monastery to the undersea, and these passages were connecting the two monasteries. However, these claims are just rumors. Because at that time, it was not technologically possible to progress underwater without oxygen. However, there are escape tunnels with secret exit points from the monastery to the seashore. The ruins of the Satyros Monastery can be seen on the Küçükyalı Highways, descending from the E5 to the minibus street. Küçükyalı, Çınar Mahallesi neighborhood mosque and the ruin next to the headman’s office is known as Maltepe Archaeological Park.
