Büyükada Greek Orthodox Orphanage, Historical wooden building in Büyükada, Turkey
The Büyükada Greek Orthodox Orphanage is a large wooden structure on Monastery Hill with multiple floors arranged across wings and a central section. The building displays the wooden architecture typical of late 19th-century construction in this region, featuring numerous windows and covered walkways.
The building was first constructed as a hotel in 1898 and purchased by the Greek Orthodox Church in 1903 to serve as an orphanage. It functioned for this community until operations ceased around the 1960s.
The orphanage was an important refuge for Istanbul's Greek Orthodox community, providing shelter and education to children without families. Its role reflects the city's long history as a place where different faiths and peoples lived together.
The orphanage is located on Monastery Hill in Büyükada and is administered by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. Visitors should be aware that the structure requires significant restoration and care should be taken when exploring the building.
The structure holds recognition as Europe's largest wooden building and ranks as the second largest wooden building in the world. This exceptional scale made it a remarkable engineering achievement of its era.
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