Sivriada - Istanbul Islands

Sivriada (Greek: Ὀξεία, Oχeia) currently is deserted. The island was often used by the Byzantine clerics as a distant place for peaceful worship, and by the Byzantine emperors as a convenient prison to detain prominent people whom they deemed troublesome. The first famous person to be imprisoned on the island by the order of emperor Nikephoros I was Plato of Sakkoudion, the uncle of renowned cleric Theodoros Stoudites, for supporting his nephew in his conflict with the emperor. Other famous people who stayed in the island for religious and political reasons were Gebon, Basil Skleros, Nikephoritzes (the chief minister of Michael VII Doukas), Patriarch John of Constantinople and Patriarch Michael II of Constantinople. The graves of those who died in the island during the Byzantine period can still be seen today.

The ruins of a Roman settlement and a ninth century Byzantine monastery can still be seen on the shore, close to the fishermen’s shelter, a small wharf which is often used by yachts. The most important buildings on the island were built in the ninth century AD, including a church, a chapel dedicated to religious martyrs, a monastery on the eastern end (with its walls still seen today) and a cistern in the center of the island (a part of which can still be seen.)

In 1911 the mayor of Istanbul ordered the stray dogs in the streets to be gathered and deposited to Sivriada, but a severe earthquake which immediately followed the event was perceived as “a punishment by God for abandoning the dogs” and they were transported back to the city.

How to get to the Princes’ Islands:

To get the Princes’ Islands, there are several options. The public IDO ferry conventional service (90 minutes from Kabatas to Büyükada; frequent services) is large and often crowded, but if you can find a space it’s possible to sit outside. The ferry begins at the Adalar Iskelesi dock at Kabatas pier, and stops in Kadiköy on the Asian side before going on to Kinaliada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and finally Buyukada.
There is also an IDO fast service (40 minutes to Buyukada) from Kabatas which stops in at Kinaliada, Burgazada and Buyukuda. In winter, departures to and from the Islands go once daily. Departures are more frequent in summer. Check the website  ido.com.tr for up to date timetables.