Istanbul's Lost Island: Vordonisi

The Maltepe rocks, which we constantly encounter during our training sessions at Küçükyalı One Yacht Marina, actually have a completely different history. After Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kınalıada, Sedef Island, Sivriada, Yassıada, Kaşık Island, and Tavşan Island, the 10th island of Istanbul was actually Vordonisi Island. Used as a monastery for clergy and exiles during the Byzantine period and the closest island to Istanbul, Vordonisi was submerged by the sea 1,000 years ago due to an unfortunate earthquake and rising waters. After sinking, Vordonisi became the subject of urban legends, but its existence was proven by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Fener through the examination of old Istanbul maps. As we mentioned earlier, you can explore the island, a small part of which is still visible, in our Istanbul educational programs. Of course, you must not pass too close to it.