Polonezköy – nature holiday in Istanbul Province

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Polonezköy – nature holiday in Istanbul Province

Did you know that less than an hour’s drive from the center of Istanbul you can find a scenic oasis? In addition to the peaceful nature of this countryside, there is also a surprising historical dimension. So welcome to a nature holiday in Istanbul, the village of Polonezköy!
Polonezköy (Adampol)

Polonezköy (or Adampol) is a small and picturesque village in Istanbul Province, on the Asian side of Istanbul, in the Beykoz district. It was instigated and commissioned by Prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski and first settled by a small group of Polish emigrės in 1842, after the failed November Uprising 1830–31 (also known as the Polish–Russian War). There is still a Polish community there today, with its own church and cemetery.

A picnic in Polonezköy.
A picnic in the Finnish countryside or in Istanbul?

At the beginning, the village was inhabited by just 12 people; there were never more than 220 Poles even at the peak of its population. After (many historical periods and) Polish independence in 1918, many returned to Poland and the remaining inhabitants took Turkish citizenship in 1938. Today, there are about 1,000 people in Polonezköy of whom around 40 speak fluent Polish.

The charming rustic and historic streets in Polonezköy.
The charming rustic and historic streets.

Already before World War II, the first tourists started arriving in the village. Polonezköy’s village chronicles record the visits of famous people such as Franz Liszt (1847), French writer, Gustave Flaubert (1850), Czech writer, Karel Droz (1904) and the first President of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1937).

In Polonezköy you will find small boutique hotels.
In Polonezköy you will find small boutique hotels.

The flow of tourists has continued to this day. But during our own nature vacation, early spring in April, we were able to enjoy almost complete peace and breathe in the fresh and empowering enchantment of nature. And all this almost in the center of Istanbul! Istanbul always surprises me.

Our hotel had a large and particularly charming garden with  a huge variety of plants and fruit trees, many terraces and swimming pools in Polonezköy
Our hotel had a large and particularly charming garden with  a huge variety of plants and fruit trees, many terraces and swimming pools.
Sunny Turkish breakfast in the beautiful garden in good company in Polonezköy.
Sunny Turkish breakfast in the beautiful garden in good company – what more could you wish?

A hike in the forest

A small romantic lake in the middle of beautiful nature.in Polonezköy.
A small romantic lake in the middle of beautiful nature.
Flamingos in Polonezköy.
Flamingos.
A relaxing and meditative moment of rest in the forest path in Polonezköy.
A relaxing and meditative moment of rest in the forest path.
You will find many picnic areas in Polonezköy. You can buy prepared food from the restaurant of these places and enjoy shared moments with your loved ones in the middle of nature.
You will find many picnic areas in Polonezköy. You can also buy prepared food from the restaurant of these places and enjoy shared moments with your loved ones in the middle of nature.
Modern houses with a beautiful countryside view near 
       Istanbul in Polonezköy.
If you prefer you can also stay here in a modern way with a beautiful countryside view near
       Istanbul.

Thank you Polonezköy, you enchanted us with your beauty!

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