Aya Yorgi Church & Monastery Hike

Monastery History: A Thousand Years of Miracles

Perched on the southern summit of Büyükada at 204 meters above the sea, the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint George Kudunas (*Hagios Georgios Koudounas*, or *Aya Yorgi Kilisesi*) is steeped in Byzantine legend. Established in the year 963 AD during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, the monastery has survived sackings, piratical raids, and imperial dynastic convulsions.

According to island tradition, during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 when Latin Crusaders attacked Byzantine coastal settlements, the monks buried their most sacred silver icon of Saint George deep in the rocky summit soil to prevent desecration. Generations later, a local shepherd heard bells ringing beneath the earth. Digging at the spot, he recovered the intact icon adorned with small sheep bells (*koudounia* in Greek), inspiring the monastery’s historic epithet Koudounas.

The monastery complex consists of two distinct chapels. The lower stone chapel dates to the eighteenth century, while the upper white basilica—still utilized for liturgical services today—was constructed in 1905. Inside, pilgrims light tall beeswax tapers before the miraculous silver icon of Saint George slaying the dragon, leaving small silver votive plaques (*tamata*) inscribed with prayers for healing, fertility, and peace.

The Pilgrimage Tradition: Spools of Thread & Silent Climbing

Aya Yorgi is one of the rare religious sanctuaries in the Eastern Mediterranean where syncretic shared devotion flourishes. While consecrated as a Greek Orthodox shrine, tens of thousands of Muslim Turks, Armenian Christians, Jewish residents, and international travelers journey to the peak each year, particularly on April 23 (Saint George’s feast day) and September 24 (Saint Thecla’s day).

The ascent is governed by poetic, time-honored rituals:

• The Unraveling Thread: At Lunapark Square, visitors purchase colorful spools of cotton sewing thread from elderly vendors. As they begin the uphill climb, pilgrims anchor the thread to a pine branch and walk uphill without speaking, unspooling the thread continuously along the path. If the thread does not break during the 1-kilometer climb, it is believed the traveler's wish will come true within a year.
• Vows of Silence: Many pilgrims make the entire ascent in absolute silence or walk barefoot across the ancient cobblestones as an act of penance and meditation.
• Tying Ribbons & Keys: Low-hanging pine trees along the trail are adorned with thousands of white ribbons, strips of cloth, and keychains representing wishes for home ownership, health, and academic success.

Step-by-Step Hiking Directions (2026)

Reaching Aya Yorgi is divided into two phases: approaching the base from the harbor, followed by the foot climb:

Dining at the Top: Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu

Arriving at the windswept summit, hikers are greeted by Yücetepe Kır Gazinosu, an iconic rustic tavern that has welcomed visitors since 1958. Seated beneath vine trellises on cliff-edge wooden terraces, patrons enjoy one of the most majestic panoramas in all of Turkey.

To the north, the entire southern silhouette of Istanbul stretches across the horizon—from Sultanahmet to Kadıköy. To the west, the smaller sister islands of Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada float on azure waters. To the south, open sea extends toward Yalova and the snow-capped peak of Mount Uludağ.

Tavern Specialties:

• Grilled spicy beef sucuk sausage served with sliced tomatoes and crusty bread;
• Hand-rolled cheese borek (*sigara böreği*) and crispy fried potatoes;
• Traditional chilled Efes draft beer, Turkish raki, and house red wine served in clay carafes;
• Freshly brewed Turkish çay served in traditional tulip glasses alongside Aegean walnut preserves.

Trail Preparation & Advice