Sedef Island, Private island in Princes' Islands, Turkey
Sedef Island is a small private island in the Sea of Marmara with roughly 100 residences scattered among pine forests. The island is managed by private owners who maintain strict building rules to keep the environment from changing too much.
The island served as a prison during the 9th century before later becoming a private residential area. This early use shows the island had a long history as a place of isolation or retreat.
Property owner Şehsuvar Menemencioğlu established regulations in 1956 that limit building heights to two floors to maintain environmental balance.
Visiting is difficult since the island is privately owned and not served by regular ferries. It is important to check beforehand whether visits are even possible before making a trip.
The island's former name comes from terebinth trees that once grew there and provided turpentine. These trees are gone now, but the old name still recalls that historical use.
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