In a rustic as huge as Turkey, residence to a various melting pot of cultures, it is hardly stunning there are loads
of tucked-away gems. For instance, do you know that simply exterior of Istanbul, there's a Polish village?
The Polish village of Polonezkoy, often known as Adampol, was based in November 1842 when Ottoman
leaders supplied sanctuary to a handful of defeated Polish revolutionaries. Their rebellion towards imperial
Russia had failed and the group have been homeless.
Because the years glided by, extra Poles heard concerning the enclave, and the inhabitants grew. Polonezkoy turned
residence to Polish folks fleeing revolution, conscription and sure demise within the Siberian gulag. The
inhabitants survived by searching deer and birds within the giant forest surrounding the village.
Polonezkoy turned a gathering level for artists, political revolutionaries and intellectuals. Gustave Flaubert
frolicked within the village, as did modem Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Even Pope John Paul Il, a
Pole, frolicked within the small village.
A altering village
Within the Nineteen Seventies, Turkish tourism received going and small inns started to open within the village. Turks started to make the
journey from Istanbul and thru the forest to achieve the attractive spot. As a result of the resorts have been run by Polish
folks, not Turks, {couples} did not to show they have been married to remain there, as was the rule on the time. So
Polonezkoy turned the go-to romantic getaway for younger folks from Istanbul.
Later nonetheless, its enchantment diversified and Polonezkoy, with its quaint, charming cafes and eating places and
historic buildings has change into a bolthole for metropolis dwellers wanting a little bit peace and quiet.
Polonezkoy in the present day
Whereas Polish folks have settled everywhere in the world, Polonezkoy is exclusive in that the enclave has held quick to
its Polish roots. There are solely round 200 folks dwelling within the village, and 50 are direct descendants from
the unique settlers, and communicate fluent Polish, conserving the village's fascinating heritage alive.
Whereas the small Polish village is now not an outpost of exile Poles, reduce off from the surface world, the village
an hour's drive from Istanbul is redolent with historical past and appeal. It is also a hiker's paradise, with quite a few
trails winding via the encircling deciduous forest.
Amecca for historical past buffs
The village attracts hikers and historical past buffs in search of a glimpse of a forgotten previous in its century-old church
and cemetery. Guests trying to study a little bit concerning the village's fascinating historical past can tour The Home of
the Reminiscence of Zofia Ryzy. The 150-year-old cottage is the oldest within the village, and devoted to the reminiscence
of Zofia Ryzy. The house was constructed within the Polish fashion of the time by Zofia's father in about 1881. Pictures,
books and paperwork telling the story of the village's historical past are on show, in addition to details about the
household who lived there. You may as well take a tour led by Zofia's granddaughter.
Polonezkoy, the cherry village
Every June or July, the small village holds its annual cherry pageant, which pulls vacationers from round Turkey in addition to a few thousand guests from Poland. The pageant celebrates Polish heritage, with conventional
people music and dance. Nevertheless, latest politics which have affected the pageant's funding imply the pageant
is being held much less regularly, which has led some inhabitants to concern their heritage could possibly be at stake.
Tips on how to get to Polonezkoy
From Istanbul, take the D1 metropolis bus from Kadikoy at 10am or 2pm. The journey takes 90 minutes. For those who're staying
in a single day, e book a room at The Nation Membership. One of the established resorts within the village, the Nation
Membership has rooms, small homes and a big backyard with a pool, on the fringe of a small lake. There's additionally a 200: a
small assortment of roaming animals as numerous as kangaroos to flamingos.
Learn extra:
x Eight hidden Istanbul gems you actually ought to uncover
