Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery

5.0

208 ratings

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Павел, просто Павел.

Level 18 Local Expert

The road will be mastered by the walking — it's about this place! A very short road up the mountain is an excellent test for a traveler, at the end of which he will see a small monastery on the top of the mountain. It's quite modest and cozy! But that's not the only reason to climb up. There are magnificent views from the mountain, it is only necessary to go behind artificial fences and sit on the edge of the cliff. We brought some goodies with us and enjoyed sitting for a couple of hours admiring the surrounding beauty.

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Ольга Довбыш

Level 17 Local Expert

The monastery is located on the island of Buyukada, at the very top. You need to walk up there, and it will be quite difficult to climb in uncomfortable shoes. But the monastery itself is unique. And the view of the surroundings is extraordinary. I don't want to leave there. I note that it is not necessary to sail there with an excursion. You can take the ferry yourself, which goes from Istanbul and runs between the islands. The schedule is available at the berths and tickets are easy to buy.

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Level 14 Local Expert

This place is pure magic! The road to him is a real ritual: with every meter, thoughts clear, and legs tremble treacherously, but it's worth it! ** What won you over:** ✔ **Atmosphere** – silence, wind and the feeling that time has stopped. ✔ **Views** – the stones at the monastery offer a stunning panorama of the islands and the Bosphorus (the photos turned out to be epic!). ✔ ** Physical challenge ** – the ascent invigorates, and the descent ... well, let's say, "trains the character." 😅 **Nuance:** We didn't get inside – it only works until 16:00, but even a walk around gave us a lot of emotions. **The result:** If you're ready for an adventure and want to feel like you're on the edge of the world, this is a must visit. It's not every day that you get to visit a place where earth meets sky! ✨🏔️

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алексей кочетков

Level 5 Local Expert

It 's a cool and beautiful place that requires a lot of effort to get there!!!It's a very steep climb, but the views from above are all great from the observation deck!!!!

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Аида Кодочигова

Level 11 Local Expert

I advise you to visit this place. To get from the center of Istanbul, you need to take a public or private ferry from Kabatazh Pier and get to Buyukada Island (on Adalar). You'll have to climb the hill a bit there. But the unforgettable beautiful view of the sea from the highest point of the island is worth it. There's a restaurant nearby. There is a place to eat and drink drinks.

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Вадим Клименко

Level 15 Local Expert

An Orthodox church located on the top of a mountain. A beautiful view opens from those places to Istanbul and the islands. Very beautiful.

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Beaver

Level 9 Local Expert

The place is undoubtedly very interesting. A fifteen-minute, rather steep hike gives it special value. I highly recommend it if you have already decided to get to the Prince Islands.

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Vlada

Level 5 Local Expert

It is definitely worth sailing here and climbing the mountain. An ancient monastery, wonderful views. A small life hack is to use the path to the left of the main one, it is longer, but the climb is easier and there are fewer people + wonderful sea views.

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Тина

Level 13 Local Expert

It's small, but it's worth a walk. The inside is impressive. But you can get to large groups of tourists, then it's not convenient, neither to take a picture normally, nor to turn around.

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Роман Колесников

Level 17 Local Expert

A delightful place. The view is amazing. Definitely worth a visit and be sure to eat in a cafe with a gorgeous view. By the way, the prices in this cafe are very, very pleasant, and most importantly very tasty. And yet, I recommend taking an electric taxi to take you to the top, and go down on your own.

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Анжелика Логинова

Level 9 Local Expert

Stunning views open from the mountain on which the monastery is located... as a reward for a long tedious hike.. I definitely recommend you to visit

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Евгений Г.

Level 3 Local Expert

Picturesque, beautiful views for photos or just to admire. There is also a great cafe nearby with beautiful views.

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Елена Миллер

Level 12 Local Expert

It wasn't an easy climb, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, I do not know the history of this monastery, but the place chosen for it is amazing. Must-visit

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Ольга Бойко

Level 11 Local Expert

It's a very beautiful place. It's not an easy climb, but it's worth it. And a nice restaurant on site with great views.

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Dart Weider

Level 11 Local Expert

A cool monastery. Very small, but in such a wonderful place. The nature there is very pleasant, the views are wonderful.

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Дмитрий Бондарев

Level 21 Local Expert

A small church, apparently not functioning. There's a pretty steep path to it. In a very picturesque place. A cafe nearby.

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Ольга Серебрякова

Level 8 Local Expert

There is a beautiful view, there are ancient icons to which you can kiss and pray, but there is no Russian-speaking priest or employee, this is a big minus, where we did not understand the relics, and it is also very difficult to climb without physical training. There are small cars cruising around the island, such as golf courses, it is better to pay and drive them, the price in March 2024 was 300 lira for two, you will save time and effort to take another walk

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Наталья Шумилина

Level 15 Local Expert

We were in a Greek Orthodox monastery for the first time. Very impressive!!! A quiet place! A beautiful view of the ascent to the monastery. You can put candles and pray.

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Анатолий Кирилов

Level 12 Local Expert

A beautiful, atmospheric place with magical views. But get ready to walk, the trail is steep. There is a cafe with beautiful views. Read the wiki before visiting. must-visit

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Елена

Level 12 Local Expert

I love this place. The old temple. Silence. It's just a pity that plastic tapes, labels from water bottles, and wet wipes were imposed on all the trees nearby. I don't know what this custom is or what it's for, but it looks terrible.

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Mike C.

Level 12 Local Expert

Don't waste your time and effort. It is long and difficult to climb a kilometer uphill along the cobblestones, and it is difficult to ride a bike, and it is difficult with children. There is nothing to see, there are no relics, there is no monastery. Only a small church. I did not dare to take anything in the cafe, it is unclear how it is prepared and how much it costs. Fortunately, the toilet is free. If only there is a beautiful view of the sea and Istanbul, but it is not necessary to climb the mountain. At the bottom left, I saw some kind of ancient wall near the cemetery.

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Александр Чернаков

Level 10 Local Expert

Don't be intimidated by the long climb, this place is worth it! Magnificent view and atmospheric chapel. The place is inspiring.

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Николай Герасимов

Level 12 Local Expert

A very beautiful view! I don't know how people get up on foot from the pier - it's better to take a taxi to the foot of the mountain🤗 in a restaurant near the monastery they cook very tasty and excellent wine!

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Дмитрий Кармацких

Level 10 Local Expert

The beauty is incredible! It's not close and uphill. There's a coffee shop upstairs. You can get to the road up from the port by electric bus, but it's expensive, about 100 liras.

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Serg

Level 4 Local Expert

Overall, the experience is favorable, despite the fact that climbing the mountain is by no means easy. Inside, they are very careful not to take pictures of anything. If you move a little away from the temple, you will have excellent views of the sea. The big disadvantage is that there is a lot of garbage everywhere.

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Andy Fletcher

Level 12 Local Expert

A real place of power! Climbing is like a mini-challenge. You feel really sublime at the top! After all, the Orthodox knew where to build churches.

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Михаил Р.

Level 18 Local Expert

A beautiful place, quiet and peaceful. There is also a cozy restaurant upstairs:) Come up, you won't regret it

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Рашид Мусаев

Level 10 Local Expert

My wife and I walked up from the pier. The whole way goes uphill. It will be difficult, but the view is worth it! They drive small electric cars and electric bikes, but the whole thrill is to overcome the route. But you can also go back by typewriter, so as not to be late for the ferry😀 I am writing this comment, sitting in a cafe nearby, with an amazing view!!! I advise you!!!

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Валерия Н.

Level 11 Local Expert

A beautiful place on the top of the island. There is a beautiful view of the Marmara Sea. It's a very steep climb to the church, but definitely worth it

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636159 и.

Level 7 Local Expert

It's worth a look, I recommend it. At an altitude of 1000 meters, built in 963. The views are very beautiful.

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Дмитрий Власов

Level 13 Local Expert

Waking up in the morning with a friend, we decided to take a walk after breakfast. The path is not the easiest, especially for the untrained, but it was worth it! Unfortunately, we did not get to the temple itself, but the views that open from there are beautiful! It is practically the highest point of the island.

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Александр З.

Level 10 Local Expert

The monastery and the Trekking route around it is a straight Lycian trail on minimalks I recommend The views are gorgeous, and the road itself with a view of the sea and sky is a thrill

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Дмитрий Артемьев

Level 8 Local Expert

A very interesting atmospheric place, surrounded by beautiful nature

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Artem

Level 8 Local Expert

It is very interesting and pleasant to advise everyone to climb to the top of the view of.

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Людмила Б.

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a great place, the views are amazing! The monastery itself is small, with a very interesting history.

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Anna S.

Level 6 Local Expert

Unfortunately, it's very dirty around. There are no trash containers. People admire the views and immediately leave the trash.

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Елена

Level 19 Local Expert

The monastery is located on the mountain. It's about 1 km to walk, but it's worth it! The monastery itself, the view from the top of the mountain, the road. Everything is very atmospheric! Unfortunately, you can't take pictures inside the church. But it's very beautiful there! I recommend.

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Ирина Парфенюк

Level 15 Local Expert

A very atmospheric place with breathtaking views

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Наталья Кадынина

Level 2 Local Expert

The pedestrian path to the monastery is too heavy for those who have problems with physical fitness, so lay down time to rest: there are benches along the entire ascent. The church is stone, very old. I saw priests in it on different visits of different ones. In the temple, you can pray and put candles. The view of the Marmara Sea and Istanbul near the temple is of indescribable beauty.

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Юлия Кирюхина

Level 6 Local Expert

Very beautiful views from the monastery. But the road is not easy - a fairly steep climb along the cobblestones

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ирина шевкун

Level 5 Local Expert

The place is incredible... a fascinating temple... I don't want to leave it. The fact that how many prayers have been read in it over the millennia, how prayed for it is, gives some kind of unimaginable strength and confidence that your prayer read in it will undoubtedly come true. The beauty and magic opens up from the mountain around… I would really like to return to this place

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Дмитрий

Level 15 Local Expert

An interesting place to visit, but keep in mind that it is necessary to walk about a kilometer at an angle of 30-45 degrees along a stone road. There are great views of Istanbul and the sea from the top.

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Арина Смирнова

Level 7 Local Expert

Buyukada Island. I got into a fairy tale. Beautiful buildings, flowers everywhere and clean air. Gasoline-powered vehicles are prohibited, only electric cars. To get to the church on foot will have to sweat. Or rent a bicycle or an electric car.

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Дмитрий Федорец

Level 12 Local Expert

The monastery is ancient, with old icons, small. Candles are for donations. The entrance is free, there were no church servants in sight. The ascent is not for the weak - the monastery is on the highest point of the island on the mountain and the ascent is appropriate. There are many viewpoints and cafes near the monastery, which are much larger in size than the monastery! There is a free toilet. The air is permeated with coniferous aromas. For reference: Monastery of St. George of Kudun (Greek: μονή ΑγίΟυ ΓεωργίΟυ Κουδουνά, tour. Aya Yorgi Manastırı) is a Greek Orthodox monastery on the island of Buyukada in the Marmara Sea. The date of foundation dates back to the reign of Nikephoros Phokas (X century), which makes it the oldest monastery on the Prince Islands. In 1204, the monastery was destroyed by the crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, and in 1302 it was burned by pirates. Leaving the monastery, the monks hid the icon of St. George. According to local legend, the saint appeared to the shepherd and pointed out the place where the icon was hidden. Since the icon was decorated with bells (Greek: κουδουνάκι), the monastery got its name. The monastery was restored and inhabited in 1751-1752. In 1781, the monastery became a compound of the Kalavrit Lavra. In 1806, several "old cells" were built on the mountain. In 1821, during the Greek Revolution, the Turks, knowing about the sympathy of the monks of Greece, attacked the monastery and killed the inhabitants. Only two monks in disguise managed to escape. After a while, despite the difficulties, the monastery reopened. In 1884, a two-storey stone building was built, and in 1908 Archimandrite Dionysius erected a church. In 1922, the monastery's property was expropriated by the Turkish state. After the death of Dionysius, there was only one monk left in the monastery, who served until his death in 1969. He was replaced by Konstantin Paikopoulos. In 1986, the historical cells burned down in a fire. The monastery has lost its historical appearance. At the end of the 20th century, the monastery became a popular place of pilgrimage among Muslim Turks: on St. George's Memorial Day, April 23, a significant number of Turks who do not profess Christianity flock to the monastery.

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Андрей Иванов

Level 13 Local Expert

It's a very, very beautiful place, it's a pity that it only works until 16:00, we didn't have time to get inside. But the place is definitely worth a visit!

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Vietnames

Level 10 Local Expert

The island is interesting. Walking is great. The air is great. And the monastery is tiny and hidden in expensive cafes.

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Алиса Валерьевна

Level 12 Local Expert

I advise you to visit. It is always better to walk through the park and climb the mountain, without a bicycle. A bicycle that can be rented from the port will not be able to climb the mountain. You will have to throw it or drag it on yourself.))

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Наталья Лихачева

Level 21 Local Expert

We visited a few years ago , we liked it . back then, horses were running around the island in carriages. The church is really very small, in its place in ancient times there was an ancient sanctuary or something like that

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Азамат Шаков

Level 8 Local Expert

There is a wonderful view at the top, you won't regret it!

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