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Polonezkoy - Adampol
Polonezkoy - Adampol ... For breathing
outside the metropolis in the company of
nature and birds, you may experience both
the natural environment and culture in this
unique corner of paradise, Istanbul's back
garden...
Polonezkoy, formerly known as
Adampol is a Polish village located in
Istanbul, TURKEY... It was founded by Adam
Czartoryski (Chairman of National Uprising
Government and the Leader of a Political
Emigration Party) in 1842. The word "Polonez"
is related with Polish in Turkish language,
and "köy" means "village", which gives a
meaning of "Polish Village". The former name
of "Adampol" stands for the founder Adam
Czartoryski.
The existence of
"Polonezkoy-Adampol" within Istanbul is a
cultural and historical event that has never
before been seen in the world. This village
was established in Istanbul, Turkey after
Poland was invaded by its neighbors Russia,
Austria and Prussia in 1775.
The Ottoman
Empire was against the idea of this
invasion. The Empire supported Poland and
Polish immigrants by giving them this
heavenly place for settlement. Michał
Czajkowski was the representative of Adam
Czartoryski for the settlement.
Michał
Czajkowski,
after
converting
to Islam
in 1850,
took the
name of
Mehmet
Sadik
Pasha.
He
bought
forest
land
from the
Lazarist
Priests
for the
future
establishment
of the
town.
The
emigrants
from the
rebellions
in
Poland
and
Hungary
(1831-1863)
and the
Crimean
War in
1853,
have
found a
reliable
environment
here in
Turkish
lands
under
the
wings of
the
Ottoman
Empire.
On the 18th
of February 1842, there were only four
inhabitants of the village, but years
later the population increased to
hundreds. The inhabitants also took
Turkish citizenship in 1938.
Eventually Polonezkoy became a
tourist place and a popular
holiday town. There have been
many famous visitors since the
establishment of the town.
French Liszt in 1847, Gustave
Flaubert in 1850, founder of
Turkey Mustafa Kemal ATATURK,
Pope 23rd Jean, former President
Kenan EVREN and Polish President
Lech WALESA and author Pierre
Loti were some of the famous
visitors. The village had a
great affect on its visitors.
Czech author Karel Droz says in
his novel "Even this is a fairy
tale, it is very real. Far away
from the motherland, inside
somewhere by the Anatolian hills
covered with forests lies a
hidden Polish village." He
describes the view of the
village as "a smile of a corner
from heaven".
Nowadays,
Polonezkoy is one of the most famous
villages in the world. About 80 Poles still live here and keep their
own culture and history. The village is
also the one and only place close to the
center of Istanbul as a holiday town.
People prefer to spend their weekends at Polonezkoy's Club Hotels, Pensions and
taste the local food in its famous
restaurants. There are many hotels,
pensions, restaurants and garden
barbecue places within
Polonezkoy-Adampol.
Polonezkoy…
A brand new stairway to heaven inside
Istanbul; a privilege, a life style…
Polonezkoy
is a unique village with its success in
protecting its green nature and
environment around
Istanbul… While you
were passing through the roads
surrounded with pine trees and green
lands, you suddenly feel your soul
purified from the crowdedness, noise and
chaos of Istanbul.
At the
entrance of the village, its church and
the Catholic cemetery welcomes you.
About 100 meters ahead you arrive to the
village's small square full of roses and
flowers. There you may have a tea or
coffee break and enjoy the nature.
"House of the Memory of Zofia Ryży" where
exhibited the village's history and photographs; "Częstochowa's Church"
which was built between the years 1900-1914 and renewed in 1918; "Polish
Cemetery"; "Adampol-Polonezkoy Culture House"; "Open air exhibition
center of wooden carving art"; "Apiculture Museum and Souvenir Shops"; "BMX
Bicycle Track" and "5 kilometer walking and jogging track"; "Restaurants
and facilities with all kind of local food and drinks, barbecue parties,
special polish pies, liquors and sweets" are the places of interest...
There are
souvenir shops selling village's famous
honey, jams, cherries in summer and
traditional hand made items. Horses are
ready to be hired for a joyful short
trip. After a small walk around the
village, you'd realize the village's
heavenly formation. "Forests of pine,
oak, hornbeam, fir, and chestnut trees
embrace the village and your eyes get
refreshed and relaxed with each tone of
the green.. Istanbul... Turkey...
Polonezkoy is your pit stop taking you
away from the chaotic, crowded and
boring city life and purifies your soul.
For all seasons you may taste
Polonezkoy's charming nature and local
food. Polonezkoy is very ideal for your
various activities like weekend
holidays, daily trips, picnics, dinners
at famous restaurants, weddings,
meetings, pools for the hot summer
times, parties.
Photos by ~ Editor Akgün AKOVA
Polonezkoy
today in Turkish lands, have kept the
Polish culture alive for more than 150
years. Although Adampols are very
faithful Turkish citizens, they also
feel themselves as real Polish people.
They speak Polish with each other and
carry out their fathers' religious
believes without any change. Poland
lives through the buildings of the
village, people's life style, spare time
activities and wedding ceremonies at the
same time. For the ones who want to
taste the nature, silence and special
activities in a heavenly place for all
seasons... All and more in this sweet
and lovely Polish village, 20 km. nearby
Istanbul; Polonezkoy-Adampol awaits
you!!!
Polonezkoy is on the north-west
of Turkey, in the Beykoz
district of Istanbul province
and on the Anatolian side.
Polonezkoy is located 20
kilometers from the Black Sea
coast and 15 kilometers from the
Bosphorus coast. It takes about
20 minutes from central
Istanbul.
WEATHER
Cherry, is the
unique and the most popular product of
Polonezkoy. Don't forget to taste and
buy cherries when you visit the village
especially in June.
"House of the Memory of Zofia Ryży" where
exhibited the village's history and photographs; "Częstochowa's Church"
which was built between the years 1900-1914 and renewed in 1918; "Polish
Cemetery"; "Adampol-Polonezkoy Culture House"; "Open air exhibition
center of wooden carving art"; "Apiculture Museum and Souvenir Shops"; "BMX
Bicycle Track" and "5 kilometer walking and jogging track"; "Restaurants
and facilities with all kind of local food and drinks, barbecue parties,
special polish pies, liquors and sweets" are the places of interest...
