The restoration of the Büyükada Greek Orphanage has not started, the historical orphanage may collapse at any moment. Against the risk of collapse, no one is allowed into the garden of the orphanage without the permission of the patriarchate.
The restoration of the Büyükada Greek Orphanage, which is the largest wooden structure in Europe and the second largest in the world and has been waiting to be saved for 57 years, has not started despite the time elapsed after taking the first step of the first restoration 7 months ago. The roof and floor of the orphanage, whose ownership was taken back by the Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarchate 50 years later, are collapsing. Since the historical building is likely to be razed to the ground at any moment, even its garden cannot be entered without permission.
The Prinkipo Palace hotel, which was built by the French Alexander Vallaury in 1898, was bought by a Greek in the early 1900s after the license was not granted and donated to the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate on the condition that it be used as an orphanage.
The historical building was a home for approximately 6,000 Greek orphans until it was locked in 1964. Büyükada Greek Orphanage, which was abandoned to its fate 57 years ago, is in danger of being demolished.
The Istanbul Greek Orthodox Patriarchate took back the title deed of the orphanage, which was wanted to be returned from Turkey, in 2010 with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Having regained its ownership right after 50 years, the patriarchate rolled up its sleeves for the restoration of the historical building. At the same time, BİMTAŞ, a subsidiary of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), prepared the drawing survey of the orphanage using remote sensing methods such as drone and laser scanning. However, although 7 months have passed, the restoration work on the historical building has not started.
While Büyükada Greek Orphanage is located on the highest point of the island, adverse weather conditions, especially in winter, increase the destruction of the building. The roof of the orphanage is collapsing. The floor of the orphanage, which was on the verge of extinction, also have collapses.
Against the risk of collapse, no one is allowed into the garden of the orphanage without the permission of the patriarchate. Visitors to the island photograph the historical structure from behind the iron wires. (DHA)
