The settlement in Kilyos started in ancient times. It has gained popularity as a small fishing village. Later, it developed during the Roman Empire. This charming town, which joined the Byzantine lands when the Roman Empire disintegrated, became a place that maritime civilizations could not share due to its geographical location.

The Genoese also dominated this region for a while. After the turmoil in the region during the Crusades, Kilyos, which found peace with the Ottoman rule, developed with its Levantine population and became a cosmopolitan settlement center.

Kilyos, which was connected to Sarıyer during the Republican period, developed in terms of tourism after the 1960s and became the most popular resting place for the Istanbul high society of that period. When you reach the village, whose settlement dates back to ancient times, the first historical building that catches your eye is the castle, which is known to have been built during the Genoese period. The castle, which is within the military area, was built by Sultan II. It was restored during the time of Mahmud. There is a cistern in the middle.

A system was established to collect water to fill the cisterns when it rains. Between Hijri 1197-1241, all cisterns up to Bahçeköy were reconstructed and restored during this period. The arched, sheltered guard sections of the stone-built castle, which draws attention with its cleanliness, have been preserved exactly as they are. II. The 19th century Krupp Wedge steel cannon, given by the Germans to protect the Straits during World War II, is on the bastions of the castle.

8 different cannons are exhibited inside the castle. Sultan II. on the castle gate. There is Mahmut’s signature, two cannons on both sides, and a monumental plane tree that was planted at that time in honor of the capture of the castle and has survived to this day. The year 1460 is stated on the sign showing the planting date of the plane tree, which is 26 meters high and has a trunk circumference of 5.4 meters. Spirit levels at three high points are also part of the system that distributes water from the cistern in the castle.

Other historical buildings in the village are the old rescue buildings, boathouse, pier, bridge and fountain built by the British to control the entrance to the Bosphorus when they occupied Istanbul. The rescue buildings are still used by the coastal protection. While it is said that Kilyos is derived from the Greek word Kilya, which means sand, it is also common to say that Kilyos is derived from the word Killa, which is originally Kuwaila and means beautiful passage/Bosphorus.

Because the meaning given by both words shows that they are appropriate considering the geographical situation of Kilyos. Although the name of Kilyos was changed to Kumköy during the Republic period, it continued to be called Kilyos because the usual name was not given up. Kilyos from Past to Present: The indigenous people of Kilyos were Greeks. However, like other villages, Kilyos received immigration due to the Russian War of 1877 (War of 1993).

With the exchange of 1923/1924, there were no Greeks left in the village. Over time, the inhabitants of the village, who migrated from different regions, became confused. There are important historical artifacts in Kilyos that will shed light on the history of the village. Kilyos Castle, 3 spirit levels, 2 stone piers, boathouse and rescue buildings, pillboxes and plane trees are the historical monuments of the village.

Let’s briefly get to know some of these important works: Kilyos Castle: Kilyos Castle took its name from the name of the village. The castle was built by the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) in the 4th and 5th centuries and is still used as a Military Casino by the military unit. The castle has been used for defensive purposes since it was built. Evliya Çelebi (17th century) and Comte Dores Sery (19th century).

century) write that the castle was used as an observation castle to control Istanbul and the Bosphorus. It is written in some works that at a time when the Byzantines were weak, the Genoese took the castle and stayed here for a long time, and therefore the castle was built by the Genoese. Over time, the castle, which was attacked and damaged by the Russians and Don Cossacks, was built by Sultan Abdulhamid I and Sultan II.

It was repaired twice during the reign of Mahmud, in 1782 and 1826. While the Russians, who settled in the Straits with the Hünkâr İskelesi Agreement in 1833, were removed from the Straits with the London Agreement in 1841, the castle was used together by Turkish and British soldiers. The cannons brought to the castle by the British in those years are still preserved and exhibited in the arena of the castle. I.

During World War II, German cannons were placed in the castle to prevent the Russians from entering the Bosphorus. The castle was used as a hospital during the Crimean War (1856). Patients injured in the Crimean War were treated here. Since the injured soldiers who died were buried in the cemetery in Uskumruköy, this cemetery was called Martyrdom. Historical Plane Tree: There is also a plane tree in Kilyos, which is a monumental tree.

The tree located in the Kilyos Castle arena is 28 meters tall and 34 meters in circumference. The tag on the tree states that it is 553 years old (as of 2008). This most likely confirms the legend that the tree was planted in 1453 to commemorate the conquest of Istanbul. Other Important Artifacts: Three spirit levels, which are accepted to have been built by the Genoese in the village of Kilyos, are preserved as they are. Two Stone Piers by the sea 18.

It is one of the historical works built in the 20th century and is still used by village fishermen. In addition, the boathouse and rescue buildings, which were also built in the 18th century, are among the historical monuments of the village. II. Although the shelters built during the World War, which are not used anymore, are not considered as historical monuments, they are the wealth of Kilyos… ISTANBUL KİLYOS BEACH Kilyos Public Beach, located in the center of Kilyos, is filled with holidaymakers, especially on weekends during the summer months.

You can meet all your needs with its beautiful beach and surrounding facilities. Kilyos Public Beach goes on for kilometers and has a very wide sandy beach. Ideal for daily sea and beach pleasure. Daily Entrance Fee: 10 TLISTANBUL HOW TO GET TO KİLYOS? Kilyos is one of the closest summer resorts to Istanbul. It is possible to go to Kilyos from the beach from Sarıyer, but the beach can be very crowded, especially on weekends.

We go to Kilyos via the forest road from Bahçeköy. So, on the road from Maslak to Sarıyer, we follow the signs for Kilyos. Minibuses and municipal buses from Sarıyer to Kilyos are another alternative for transportation. The last three kilometers of the road is gravel.

That’s why you need to go slowly on this part of the road. Kilyos is approximately 45 minutes away from Istanbul. As soon as we arrived in Kilyos, we immediately headed towards the first place that comes to mind when Kilyos is mentioned: the beaches. But before landing on the famous beach of Kilyos, we pass through the center of the village. It would be a good idea to bring everything related to the beach with you when you come to Kilyos, but in case you forget, you can find everything from swimsuits to beach balls here.

We immediately grab a hat and a beach mat and set off towards the beach. Kilyos has a long, wide beach. Kilya beach and Solar beach are the two large facilities on this beach. It was windy the day we went. The weather is usually like this in Kilyos, and the sea is often wavy… Lifeguard Hakan Güngör says that the Black Sea can be very dangerous at times.

“One day it can be very calm, suddenly huge waves can appear,” he says. It is useful to check the weather forecast before coming to Kilyos. Lifeguards follow the changes during the day on meteorology. When necessary, they immediately warn those who swim in the sea. While we are here, they say there is no need to be afraid of the Black Sea. Solar beach hosts those who want to enjoy the sea during the day and mostly concerts at night.

When you get hungry from the sea, sun and fresh air, you can eat almost any kind of food except fish on the terrace of Solar beach. Admission is 15 million on weekdays and 25 million on weekends. Solar beach is an extremely lively beach with its music, sea and entertainment. It is just like the southern beaches, especially for those who cannot go on holiday to a far place. Kilya beach is next to Solar beach. Kilya can be visited by 10 million people on weekdays and 15 million people on weekends.

Kilya beach is mostly preferred by crowded families. The old Turban Hotel of Kilyos now serves as Kilya Resort Hotel. There is also a public beach on the Kilyos coast. The entrance to this place is 5 million. The wreck of a ship that ran aground in September 2001 is still here. The name Kilyos comes from the Greek word for sand. The official name of this place is Kumköy.

It truly deserves this name with all its beaches. When it comes to eating and drinking in Kilyos, you can have a small snack on the beaches. There are foods such as doner bread inside Kilyos. But if you want to eat fish, you need to go to the fish restaurants on the beach. You can come to Kilyos for a day and spend the whole day on the beaches and then return home.

But if you want to stay here, there are seven hotels of different qualities. All of Kilyos’ hotels overlook the sea and beaches, so the view is very beautiful. To swim in the sea, you need to leave the hotels and walk a little. The beaches of Kilyos are famous, but we should not forget the forests behind the village.

There are many different alternatives on the forest side, especially for those who want to hike. After visiting Kilyos, we say let’s go to the villages around it. Dalia Beach is in Demirciköy, right next to Kilyos. This place is quite different from other beaches. There is no music here, no noise, and there is not even a settlement within 5 km of this place.

You only hear the sounds of the waves and nightingales. Dalia beach is in a different line with its grassy area behind it and the fish restaurant serving delicious seafood. This place is mostly preferred by those who want to spend a quieter day. Housewife Seçkin Yüksel says that she comes here three days a week, especially for my children. Another beach in Demirciköy is Uzunya Beach. Ideal for those who want to rest their heads for long periods of time.

Seasonal fish varieties are always available at the small fish restaurant in the bay. İSTANBUL KİLYOS PICTURES