Bozcaada, a beautiful island in the province of Canakkkale, north of the Aegean Sea.
BOZCAADA is a small island in the province of CANAKKALE located in the north of the Aegean Sea. It is the third largest island of Turkey and at the entrance of Dardanelles strait. The island is mainly inhabited at the center located in the northeast with no villages.
The area of Bozcaada with its islands is 37.6 km2 and its surroundings are 38 km. Bozcaada, consists of large plains outside the small elevations in the interior. The natural vegetation of the island is scrub and small shrubs and no trees grow in the parts open to the wind. One can see pine trees in the secluded parts with vineyards making up one third of the whole area. The island has 12 bays and 12 capes with 17 islets of various sizes around it.
Bozcaada has a unique climate structure different from the geography where it is located. Although it is under the influence of the Mediterranean climate, it is located right at the exit of the Dardanelles strait and receives the northern winds. This allows low moisture content and thus good grape growth. According to the 2007 census, the island’s official population is somewhere round 3,000. With visitors in high season the population is forecasted some 10,000. In recent years, the number of immigrants from the metropolitan settlements has been increasing.
Bozcaada, known as Tenedos in Greek Mythology, has been invaded and changed hands many times due to its strategic location. As the excavations at the necropolis of the island indicate, the history of the island dates back to 3000 BC. Among inhabitants of the island were the Phoenicians, Athenians, Greeks and Persians, and Alexander the Great, Byzantines, Genoese, Venice and Ottomans dominated the island in history. After experiencing a long period of Ottoman rule, the island was occupied by Greece during the Balkan Wars in 1912 and it was annexed to the Republic of Turkey together with Gokceada, as agreed in the 1923 Lausanne Treaty.
Bozcaada is known to be one of the rare environmentally conscious places in Turkey. With the initiatives of local government, associations and civil initiatives, various environmental steps have been taken. To provide an example, Bozcaada has been producing wind energy from wind turbines since 2000 thus providing energy for both itself and Çanakkale. Since the whole island is a natural and historical protected area, all buildings and repairs are approved by the Board of Conservation of Cultural and Natural Assets (Monuments) Committee. Property prices differ from the mainland, both for this reason and for being an island. Generally speaking, land and house prices are more expensive than the surrounding area..
Bozcaada is an island of grape and wine which means one could do shop here many items having to do with grapes. During the summer, grapes are sold at the island centers. All kinds of grapes are evaluated. On top of wine, dried grapes, grape juice, molasses, vinegar, pickled vine leaves, grape jam are other products obtained from vineyards.
Gift items are very popular in Bozcaada with very unique gift shops. The products are mostly hand-crafted. Original examples of ceramic work, cloth dolls, ethnic clothes, fabric bags draw attention. Grapes, wine, wind roses are the main subjects used in souvenirs. There is even a store that sells only grape-wine-related accessories and jewelry. Glass objects and jewelry produced in the island’s glass workshop are considered original gifts. Art galleries are mostly places where the works of artists on islands are sold.
Many visitors enjoy water sports at Ayazma beach which is perfect for families to swim and spend an unforgettable time. One can also do kitesurfing here. Other than that one can rent bikes, motors or else visit art galleries and even take ceramic lessons or attend glass classes. There is a book fair held on the island as well. (25.10.2019)
