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Anchorage Area
Coordinates :
A : 39 51, 00’ N-026 04, 40’ E B : 39 51, 20’ N-026 05, 40’ E C : 39 50, 50’ N-026 04, 70’ E D : 39 50, 50’ N-026 05, 10 E Distance to Wharf : 0, 55 n. miles Depth and Ground : 12 to 18 meters, Soft ground |
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Port, Tender Wharf
Coordinates :
39° 50’ 6” N, 26° 4’ 11” E Wharf Longitude: 31 meters Min. Draft : 2, 70 meters Height from sea level : 1, 20 meter |
Terminal :
39° 50’ 6” N, 26° 4’ 11” EFully ISPS Brand New Terminal Located in city centre |
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Bozcaada Castle
As you approach the island by boat, the first site to attract your attention will be the imposing, majestic castle of the island. Don’t be surprised to find such a big castle in this seemingly small town. The grandeur of the castle reflects the rich past of the island. Since the island is located at the mouth of the Dardanelles, so close to the mainland it has been open to invasions throughout the centuries. All those civilizations that lived here felt safe under the protection of this big castle
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Museum
Bozcaada Museum, located in the centre is a unique place for tourists who want to learn more about the place they visit. This collection that manifests the rich history of the island was set by individual efforts. When M. Hakan Gürüney’s loyalty to Bozcaada and his explorer personality came together, a please-to-see extraordinary collection therefore came out. The main titles you can see in the museum collection are: fossils peculiar to Bozcaada, archaeological pieces, coins, maps and gravures, articles of French soldiers when they used Bozcaada as a military base in the 1915 Gallipoli War, postcards from that time, documents of postal service history, 25 photographs Ara Güler (famous Turkish photographer) took in 1955, island pictures starting from 1880, old wine bottles produced in the island, the goods Greek and Turkish people used in their houses, documents, books
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The Church of Mother Mary
This is the only church currently open for worship services to Bozcaada’s Orthodox congregation. It is situated in the heart of the Greek neighborhood. The date “1869” posted on its door, its first construction is believed to date back to the Venetian era. Its fourstoried bell-and watch-tower was partially dismantled and placed behind wire netting in the 1980’s due to cracking and crumbling of parts caused by corrosion over time
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The Köprülü Mehmet Pasa Mosque
This mosque, believed to have been demolished during the Venetian era, was restored in 1655 by Köprülü Mehmet Pasa, who subsequently became it namesake. Today it is known within the community as the Yalı Mosque. It has no epitaph. It has taken on its current shape as a result of repairs to it over time. It has a pleated roof and more or less fits the dimensions of a square.
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Alaybey Mosque
While there is no definite information as to when this mosque was constructed, it is estimated to have been in 1700. It is made of hewn stone. There is a small graveyard inside the mosque’s courtyard. One of the 14 graves found here belongs to the Ottoman grand vizier, Halil Hamit Pasa.
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Bozcaada Art Galleries
The island has an active arts life, during summers especially. The romantic setting which it provides from the moment the sun rises from behind Mt. Ida to the moment it sets behind the island of Limnos has attracted many poets, artists, musicians and authors in recent years. Some hear the echoes of Homer’s poetry while listening to the sound of the relentless wind. There are several locations where artists’ works are exhibited. It all started with one gallery years ago, but has expanded vigorously with the addition of new venues, transforming the island into a nationally well-known arts center.
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Where to Swim in Bozcaada
The virgin coves with their crystal clear waters are another attraction of the island. These big and little coves, which are so many in number that those who come across them for the first time are stunned are mostly suitable for swimming. The water surrounding the island is generally cold, but it is not difficult to get used to its refreshing effect. Some of the coves are too big to be missed and wait for you to discover them. Yet, you get the feeling that you are the first to set foot on this small cove. Even in the most crowded season, you have the chance of finding a cove which is exclusively at your service.
Bozcaada
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The first city on the site of Troy was Wilusa, founded in the 3rd millenium BC by the Hittites, who were the first indigenous Anatolian people to rise to form a state during the Bronze Age. Situated over the Hisarlık Hill on the northwestern tip of Troad Peninsula, it was clear that the reason for the city’s existence in the first place was a total control of Dardanelles, which, along with the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus, is today known as the Turkish Straits, a key route connecting Mediterranean with the Black Sea, as well as being where European and Asian landmasses are almost just a stone’s throw away from each other. The abduction of Helen, the daughter of the king of Sparta, by Paris, a Trojan prince, sparked enmity between the Trojans and Achaeans from across the Aegean Sea. Having been unable to break into the defensive walls of the city, Achaeans decided to set up a trick—they offered a huge wooden horse as a gift to Trojans, as an amend for the bother they caused with their war galleys on the city’s beach. Trojans accepted the offer sincerely, but this resulted in them losing their city, as inside of the horse was full of Achaean soldiers, ready to combat, and now right in the center of the city. For all its actuality, there was a Trojan War, which possibly took place in the 12th century BC, and it was around this time Hittite Wilusa was converted to Hellenic Illion, and later Troia. However, for some reason, all later invaders from all directions, with the notable exception of Alexander the Great (who founded the city of Alexandria Troas on the coast south of Troy), favoured Bosphorus to northeast instead of Dardanelles for their intercontinental crossings. The Roman emperor Constantine I (r. 306-337) agreed as well, founding a new capital for his empire, Constantinople (Istanbul today), on the banks of Bosphorus. As Constantinople flourished, its geographical rival Troy declined, eventually disappearing under layers of dirt.
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Since the days of Byzantine Empire, Troy was thought to be nothing but Homer’s pure imagination, but in 1868, Heinrich Schliemann, a German businessman and a self-proclaimed archaeologist, proved otherwise, after taking the hint that Troy might be a real place buried under the Hisarlık Hill from Frank Calvert, a British archaeologist who visited the site three years earlier. As Schliemann’s excavations were totally amateurish, it damaged the integrity of much of the remains,
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Assos
The city of Assos on the Aegean coast of modern Turkey was founded by Ancient Greeks sometime around the 7th century BC. Today the site, whose modern name is Behramkale, is a beautiful seaside resort littered with ancient ruins dating from the ancient Greek and Roman periods. The city passed through many hands during its long existence, the Persians took Assos from the possession of the Ancient Greeks during the 4th century BC only to be driven out a few years later by Alexander the Great. Later, the city came under the control of the nearby Kings of Pergamum, until it was engulfed by the Roman Empire in 133 BC. The prosperity of the city dwindled after the Roman period and it remained just a small settlement throughout the Byzantine period and through to modern times. The most famous of Assos’ ancient inhabitants would likely be Aristotle, who founded a school of philosophy here and married the niece of the city’s most famous king, Hermeias. St Paul was also a reputed visitor to the city. Perhaps the best known ancient site at Assos is the Temple of Athena, which is situated on the crest of a dormant volcano. It offers beautiful views of the area stretching as far as the island of Lesbos, which is just 12km across the sea, and also of other nearby ruins such as Pergamum. Although little remains of the temple, it is the only Doric example in the Anatolian region. Other sights to see in the town include the impressive ancient city walls, the Hellenic city gateway - consisting of two massive towers - a Roman theatre, gymnasium, agora and the necropolis (cemetery). Some of the ruins have been reconstructed. Sights at Assos from other periods include the Ottoman era mosque and fortress which date from the 14th century.
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Canakkale Archaeological Museum
Founded 1936 in an old church and the building was later reconstructed in 1960. The museum later moved to the new building. You may find reliefs, headstones and tablets in the garden of the museum. Several archaeological artefacts brought from the excavations of the famous sights like Troy, Bozcaada, Gokceada,Assos, Alexandreia Troas, Gulpınar, Dardanos, Yenice, Can and Gumuscay are being exhibited. The collections on display are rich in terms of coins and glassware. The sarcophagi of a girl is an important piece that depicts Greeks returning home and sacrificing the their captive, a young girl nemed Polyksena. Another masterpiece on display is the small statuette of Aphrodite that was made of baked clay and found at the Dardanos Tumulus
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Gallipoli Peninsula
The World War I battle for control of the Dardanelles (Hellespoint) strait was fought mainly on Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula, with appalling casualties. Around 100,000 were killed and 400,000 wounded during the nine-month campaign (1915-1916). The battlefields cover an extensive area from Cape Helles at the southern tip of the peninsula north for over 35 km (22 miles) to the Anafartalar hills. Invading armies and navies have coveted the strategic Dardanelles strait since the days of the Trojans because it controls sea traffic between the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Aegean/ Mediterranean. Only 1. 2 km wide at its narrowest point (Kilitbahir), and over 100 meters deep, the Dardanelles is also the key to Istanbul: warships that could get through the Dardanelles could easily train their guns on the sultan’s palace in Istanbul and bring the Ottoman Empire to its knees. The British navy wanted very much to get its battleships through the Dardanelles and attack Constantinople to knock the Ottoman Empire, an ally of the Central Powers, out of World War I. Ottoman forces, some of whom were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) knew that if the Allied ships got through, it might mean the conquest of their country. Today, the Gallipoli battlefields are silent, preserved as a national park strewn with marble and bronze monuments, among the most emotionally touching places to visit in Turkey
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The Island en-foot (2 ½ hours)
Visit the Castle (5 min) - Walk in Greek and Turkish quarters and visit the Alaybey Mosque - Kemisis Teodoku Church (60 min) - Wine Tasting at the old small wine factory (30 min) - Stroll Around the narrow streets (30 min) and reach the port.
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Beach & Wine (4 ½ hours)
Drive to Habbele Beach (15 min) - Swim Break (150 min) - Drive to Vineyard (15 min) - Vineyard visit and wine tasting (45 min) - Drive to port (30 min)
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The Ancient Troy (4 hours)
Crossing to mainland by ferry (25 min) - Drive to Troy (30 min) - Visit Troy (90 min) - Drive to Ferry Quay (30 min) - Crossing to Bozcaada (25 min)
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The Legendary Troy and Assos (7 ½ hours)
Crossing to mainland by ferry (25 min) - Drive to Troy (30 min) - Visit Troy (90 min) - Drive to Assos (60 min) - Lunch (75 min) - Visit Assos (60 min) - Drive to Ferry Quay (45 min) - Crossing to Bozcaada (25 min)
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Canakkale & Gallipoli (6 hours)
Crossing to mainland by ferry (25 min) - Drive to Canakkale (30 min) -Visit Canakkale Archaeological Museum (30 min) - Crossing to Gallipoli (20 min) - Visist Gallipoli (150 min) Crossing to Canakkale (20 min) - Drive to Ferry Quay (30 min) - Crossing to Bozcaada (25 min)
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Viticulture
Viticulture and wine making on the island has a heritage of 3000 years, reaching from the past of the island to the present. The grape bunches on the coins of Tenedos date back to 5C BC, and many old sources which mention Bozcaada wine from Homer to Evliya Çelebi’s travel book carry the traces of this deep rooted tradition. The island, whose domination was fought over because of its strategic position, encountered different cultures at different times. All these cultures had a point in common though, and that was the connection they had with the vineyards. The north winds, a gift of nature to this small Aegean island create the ideal environment for viniculture. It is as if the island’s peculiar climate and the soil got together to choose the right plant for growing and carried it to this day from years ago. Almost half the island is covered with vineyards. Their appearance, which changes with the seasons, together with the vineyard houses are the indispensable images of the panorama of the island. Other than traditional viniculture, there are high tech and wire systems both of which have become popular in the last few years. Irrigation is not used on the island’s vineyards and the protective measures applied are close to those of organic agriculture.
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Architecture
The whole of Bozcaada is a natural and historical preservation site. Therefore, all construction work and restoration has to be approved by the Committee for the Historical Preservation of Cultural and Natural Goods. Due to strict control, no unlicensed construction is seen on the island. The historical architectural fabric is preserved and restorations are made taking into account the original architectural style. The centre of the island has two neighborhoods, one of the Turks, the other of the Greeks. In the old days they were separated by a stream. As their names suggest, in the Turkish neighborhood, the population consists mostly of Turks, and likewise there are more Greeks living in the Greek quarter. Naturally, the architecture in each of these two areas reflects their own cultural characteristics. In the Turkish quarter, there are one story houses and two story houses with bay windows, winding streets and small squares. The Greek neighborhood has been re-established after the great fire at the beginning of the 1900s. It was built according to the grid plan used in many of the ancient cities which consists of intersecting streets of approximately the same width. Big or small, there are no squares among these streets.
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Bozcaada Cuisine
Thanks to a shared past of more than 500 years the interaction between the Rum and Turkish inhabitants has enriched Bozcaada’s cuisine. The island’s cuisine has many similarities with the Northern Aegean cuisine. Seafood, red meat, wild herbs, and olive oil are frequently used on the island. Together with the start of spring the wild herbs seasons begins. Nettle, Cibes, Chicory, and many more are being picked and used. These herbs are used for preparing meze, salads, and börek. Early in spring is the best time to eat red meat on the island, especially the local lamb and sheep dishes are popular amongst the island folk. Special to the island is its rabbit. If you visit the island during the ‘Yerel tatlar’ festival you can taste this old ‘Rum’ delicacy on the food bazar. Squid and octopus are the most commonly used seafood on Bozcaada.
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From the vineyards
Apart from wine Bozcaada is also the right place to taste and buy delicious grapes. During the summer you will find boxes of grapes in the town center and alongside the roads. In August Cavus grapes are being harvested after which the aromatic Kardinal grapes are being plucked and sold. Besides consuming grapes as fruit, grapes are dried and used for molasses, vinegar, and jam. The leaves of the grapes are being pickled and used for amongst others stuffings
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Regional
Tomato jam is Bozcaada’s most famous jam. Tomato jam and Bozcaada have become intertwined with each other thanks to a ‘Rum’ family’s continuation of this old custom. Another typical Bozcaada delicacy is corn rose syrup. It is made and sold by Ada café in concentrated form in bottles. Oregano grows almost everywhere on the island. Whenever you will walk off road you will smell its fresh and tingling odor around you. You can also buy oregano honey, as there are some small beekeepers who let their bees feed themselves on the natural habitat of the island.
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Gifts
Bozcaada has its own kind of gift shops. Most gifts are handmade locally. Ceramics and glass gifts are very popular, for the rest you can buy ethnic clothing. Most designs have grapes, windmills, or the crows as main theme. There is even one store that sells accessories and jewelry with only a grape-wine theme. On the stalls in the town center you will spot ceramics, paintings, and some other original handmade gifts made by Bozcaada’s craftsmen. In Bozcaada’s art galleries there are exhibitions from various artists from all over Turkey. Here you can buy a more artistic and original gift for yourself or your friends and relatives.
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Bozcaada Wine Tasting Days (last weekend of June)
The reputation of Bozcaada as an island of wine intensifies each year. Every year the last weekend of June has been chosen for this event, which was held for the first time in the summer of 2005. Support is given by the island’s wine manufacturers, district officials and the Municipality. All through these vivacious three days, the streets of the island, which smell of grapes and wine, are filled with a sweet excitement. People gather in front of wine stores, some even sing and dance. People drink wine as they talk about wine. A glass of wine will accompany you as you sit around the fire in a magnificent cove, or in a Vivaldi concert given in an ancient wine house, or as you listen to live Gypsy music on one of the streets of the island. The wine tasting days are a good excuse to visit the island while it is still not very crowded.
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Bozcaada International Taste Festival (Second week-end of September)
The Festival which is organized by Bozcaada Tourism Managers Association is being held in the second weekend of September every year. The organization starts with delicious Island and international food tasting in the Island square, continues with a concert given in the castle and ends on Sunday afternoon, when guests are living.
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Vintage Festival (First week of September)
It is a traditional festival organized at the beginning of September every year in order to celebrate grape harvesting, i.e. vintage, fruit of people’s labor during the whole year. Grapes which are picked all together in the vineyards of the Island during the vintage are brought to the center of the city and welcomed with horns and drums and the festival begins. People working in the vineyards during the day and tourists come together in the evening to watch the activities in the castle. Vintage Festival time is one of best seasons to visit the Island
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Bozcaada Aya Paraskevi Day (26th July)
The 26 of July are the days when the Greeks get together to celebrate the Holy Paraskevi. It is also known as the Ayazma Fair. You must visit this place with its double-spouted historical fountain, its eight gigantic plane trees and the small chapel. Many Greeks from abroad come to the island for this festival every year. Some are old residents of the island while others are young Greeks who are curious about their origins. Sirtaki is danced to the music of groups coming from Greece. Priests come from Istanbul or Gökçeada. All through the day, a local restaurant owner offers a buffet and drinks in honor of the occasion. The joyful crowd eats at the wooden tables placed in the center of the square, accompanied by the island wine and they dance to the traditional music. The priest rings the bell when it time for people to attend the service. The Turks who have lived side by side with the Greeks for many years don’t abandon them on this special day and attend the ceremony with equal enthusiasm. You must stop by to witness how these two cultures fuse with each other as they breathe the air of this joyous atmosphere…
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Bozcaada The Day of the Poet and Iliad Readings (first weekend of August)
This event, which has been taking place on the first weekend of each August, was initiated by the personal endeavors of the famous Turkish journalist Haluk Sahin. It has already become a traditional festival. Each year a different poet is invited for this gathering. One of the well-known Turkish poet will lead those who love poetry. Not only will people get a chance to listen to poet’s poetry read by himself but they will also have the chance to hear Homer’s world famous epic Iliad, the story of which passes in Troy, read in various languages. It is not a coincidence that Bozcaada is chosen for this activity. It is situated right opposite the ancient Troy, on Hisarlik Hill. Bozcaada was a shelter for the Acheans from the Trojans all through the Trojan war. Even when the famous Trojan horse trick was being carried out the Achaean fleet waited for the sign from the opposite bank to arrive in a harbour behind on the rear part of the island. The Iliad readings start with dawn in Troy. The crowd gets together in harmony with the early morning calm waiting for the reading to continue from where it stopped the year before.
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Bozcaada Cruise PortTekke Sk. Kemahli Is Mkz. No:41/917100 Canakkale, Turkey T: +90-286-217 45 11 | F: +90-286-217 43 25 info@bozcaadacruiseport.com |