Sightseeing
This month we present you with alternatives to the classic holiday destinations of Bodrum, Cesme, Antalya etc. There are many ways you can enjoy a mini-break in the city, or ‘staycation’.
An authentic small village tucked away in a slice of green paradise and only a 20-minute drive from Istanbul’s European side, Polonezköy offers a quick getaway from the bustle and stress of the city. Indulge yourself in the simple pleasures of life within this relaxing environment that reunites nature and culture; and get a helping of clean air as you step back to gaze onto the surrounding flowered pastures and luscious forests. Sabrina Cerri
History
Polonezköy (or Polish Village) was founded in 1842 by Adam Czartoryski, Chairman of the Polish National Uprising Government and leader of a political emigration party. The original name of the village was ‘Adampol’, or ‘Village of Adam’ (in Polish) after its founder. Adampol was to be the second emigration centre after Paris for Poles fleeing from Russian repression and struggling for Polish independence.
The village, which at first had only 12 inhabitants, attracted emigrants from the rebellion in November 1830 and the Crimean War in 1853. The village developed over time as the inhabitants worked mainly on agriculture, raising and forestry. They took on Turkish citizenship in 1938.
Polish citizens (descendants from the founders of Adampol) still come back to visit the land of their forefathers. Thanks to an access road built in the 70s, the picturesque landscape of Polonezköy, laying 15km from the Bosphorus and 20km from the Black Sea, has become over time a popular tourist destination.
Today, the village (population of about 1.000) continues to preserve the Polish heritage, language and culture of their ancestors and is a symbol of Turkish-Polish friendship.
Where to stay:
Polonezköy hosts an ample selection of hotels and pensions to stay at. They stand as authentic Polish houses all around the village offering a range of options and prices.
Club Adampol & Alinda Hotel
An ideal option for those seeking the comfort of a city hotel while still looking to enjoy the authentic spirit of the village and natural surrounding. The Club, situated at the entrance of Polonezköy, divides itself into the Adampol Hotel (45 rooms) and Alinda Hotel (70) that lie across the street from one another. The Polish style houses surrounded by greenery and every color of blossom, along with the folkloric decoration, transport you to another time and land. Aside from enjoying its extensive open buffets or its Karçma Kriha Restaurant you can also take advantage of the various activities available to all hotel guests: Indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, Turkish hamam, sauna and fitness.
Weekend: Double room, Full pension 240TL
Weekday: Double room, Full pension 220TL, half-pension 185TL, with breakfast only 140TL
(Rates incl. tax and access to all hotel activities)
Beykoz Cad. No:23 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 31 56
Fredi Pansiyon
Further down past the village centre, Fredi Pansiyon lies to the side of a vast pasture filled with yellow flowers. The main building, which houses the reception, has 18 rooms. However, there is a second building further down the hill, which is ideal for bigger groups who wish to have a place to themselves. With 9 cozy rooms along one corridor you can really make it your own home. Not to worry though, the rooms are also available individually if you prefer a calm and romantic weekend! Behind these lie the pension’s Obara Restaurant whose flowering garden beckons with its rich colors and the numerous hammocks hanging beyond the tables and chairs. Fredi Pansiyon is entirely run by the welcoming family that owns it, and makes for a perfect getaway for those simply looking to eat, sleep and read in the shade.
Front House: Double room with breakfast 85 TL
Back House: Double room, half-pension 160TL
Cumhuriyet Cad. Gurbuz Çihmazı No: 2 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 30 47
Eating & Drinking:
You will immediately catch an enticing whiff of meat grilling nearby for barbecuing is the way to go in Polonezköy. Although fish and vegetable dishes are also available, dining options strongly focus on meat!
Leonardo Restaurant & Café
A small haven for those who appreciate nature in comfort and good food. Leonardo restaurant and café is spread over a lovely landscape that can equally be enjoyed from the rustic indoors as from the outdoors where you can also take advantage of the sumptuous pool in the summer time. The food and service are on par with the lovely surroundings. The menu is varied, bringing together dishes from the Turkish, Polish, Austrian, French and Slav cuisines though typical dishes like the Kievski, Steak Polonez and Leonardo böreği (pastry) are strongly recommended. Make sure you don’t leave without sampling one of their scrumptious daily desserts together with a glass of homemade walnut, orange or sour cherry liquor.
Kluski (polish ravioli) 20TL, Leonardo böreği 13TL, Steak Polonez 28TL, Desserts 8-12TL, Glass of wine 16TL
Köy içi Sok. No: 32 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 30 82
Working hours for both weekdays and weekends 8:30-21.00 (or later depending on number of guests)
Polen Et ve Mangal (Meat and Barbecue)
If you’re in the mood to kick back and enjoy a more casual ambiance this is a perfect choice. Open only in the summer, Polen has tables spread over its spacious lawn where you truly get the feel of a country side meal surrounded by greenery and the occasional rooster crowing. Choose from a variety of meats that you can have prepared for you or, to really get in the spirit of things, cook yourself on a charcoal barbecue they bring to your tableside. An assortment of side dishes is also available.
Lamb chops (Kg) 65TL, Köfte (meatballs)(Kg) 45TL, Chicken (Kg) 30TL, Mezes 5TL, Beer 5TL, Bottle of white wine 35TL
75. Yil Cad. No: 1a Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 31 03
Working hours: Weekdays: 9.00- 20.00; weekends 9.00-22.00
What to buy
Although Polonezköy isn’t known for its shopping, don’t miss out on some small treasures the village has to offer…
Arıcılık Müzesi (Bee-keeping Museum)
Don’t be fooled by the name – this place is more of a small paradise for honey-lovers than it is a museum! Located at the centre of the village, the ‘museum’ will first grab your attention with its numerous jars of different types of honey displayed at the entrance. The jovial ‘beekeeper’ and his helpers will be happy to show you into a room filled with beekeeping memorabilia, books, instruments, photos and products including hand-made bee-wax candles (great for clearing cigarette smoke) and a full array of beauty products. From face and body cream to face masks and peelings, made primarily from bee milk and honey, these natural products are sure to make great gifts to bring back home. However, make sure you don’t go anywhere before sampling the delicious assortments of honey, amongst which the ‘creamy honey’, not available anywhere else, will have you licking your fingers!
Honey: 450gr 20TL, 850gr 35TL. Bee-wax candles: 1-4TL. Face cream 20TL, Mask 20TL
Village centre, Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 324 18 87
Hayriye Teyze’s
This small shop, next to the Arıcılık Müzesi, greets you with an outdoor stand piled with different colored jars. Looking closer you will see that these are labeled with the names of fruits indicating the type of homemade jam inside. Sour cherry, plum, quince, mulberry, peach, fig… just take your pick from the endless selection! Other items of interest are the fresh tarhana and the natural bars of soap made from olive oil – apparently it does wonders for skin and hair. The inside of the store is like a mini-bazaar with an array of objects ranging from Babushka dolls to toy trucks... The cheerful and welcoming owner will be happy to help and have a chat, if you have the time.
Jam: 6TL. Olive oil soap: 9TL.
Village centre, Polonezköy / İstanbul.
What to see
Czestochova Mother Mary Church and Polonezköy Cemetery
It’s easy to miss the church, surrounded by daisies and off to the side of the main road before you enter the village. Walking up the flowered lane in the cool shade of the trees with the church rising up ahead of you, you truly feel yourself to be entering a place of sanctuary. The church is beautiful in its simplicity both from the inside and outside and is well worth a visit. Across the road in the small peaceful cemetery lie the graves of all the Polish founders and residents.
Church open only on Saturdays (grounds accessible every day)
Zofia Ryzy House
Just past the Adampol Club, and through a small gate, you will feel like Alice in Wonderland walking down a tunnel of greens lit up by dazzling flowers before stumbling on a charming little cottage house. This was Polonezköy’s first pension; modest yet warm the house and furniture have been kept in an impeccable state and you almost feel as though you were taking a step back in time. The cottage, which houses Zofia Ryzy and her family’s memorabilia, old photos, books and historical documents acts as a small history museum for the village. We highly recommended taking a moment to simply appreciate the beauty of the house itself, while gaining a better understanding of the history of the village.
Entry: 1TL
Only open on weekends and holidays, 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00
Staycations- Polonezköy
Writer: Sabrina Cerri
This month we present you with alternatives to the classic holiday destinations of Bodrum, Cesme, Antalya etc. There are many ways you can enjoy a mini-break in the city, or ‘staycation’.
An authentic small village tucked away in a slice of green paradise and only a 20-minute drive from Istanbul’s European side, Polonezköy offers a quick getaway from the bustle and stress of the city. Indulge yourself in the simple pleasures of life within this relaxing environment that reunites nature and culture; and get a helping of clean air as you step back to gaze onto the surrounding flowered pastures and luscious forests. Sabrina Cerri
History
Polonezköy (or Polish Village) was founded in 1842 by Adam Czartoryski, Chairman of the Polish National Uprising Government and leader of a political emigration party. The original name of the village was ‘Adampol’, or ‘Village of Adam’ (in Polish) after its founder. Adampol was to be the second emigration centre after Paris for Poles fleeing from Russian repression and struggling for Polish independence.
The village, which at first had only 12 inhabitants, attracted emigrants from the rebellion in November 1830 and the Crimean War in 1853. The village developed over time as the inhabitants worked mainly on agriculture, raising and forestry. They took on Turkish citizenship in 1938.
Polish citizens (descendants from the founders of Adampol) still come back to visit the land of their forefathers. Thanks to an access road built in the 70s, the picturesque landscape of Polonezköy, laying 15km from the Bosphorus and 20km from the Black Sea, has become over time a popular tourist destination.
Today, the village (population of about 1.000) continues to preserve the Polish heritage, language and culture of their ancestors and is a symbol of Turkish-Polish friendship.
Where to stay:
Polonezköy hosts an ample selection of hotels and pensions to stay at. They stand as authentic Polish houses all around the village offering a range of options and prices.
Club Adampol & Alinda Hotel
An ideal option for those seeking the comfort of a city hotel while still looking to enjoy the authentic spirit of the village and natural surrounding. The Club, situated at the entrance of Polonezköy, divides itself into the Adampol Hotel (45 rooms) and Alinda Hotel (70) that lie across the street from one another. The Polish style houses surrounded by greenery and every color of blossom, along with the folkloric decoration, transport you to another time and land. Aside from enjoying its extensive open buffets or its Karçma Kriha Restaurant you can also take advantage of the various activities available to all hotel guests: Indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, Turkish hamam, sauna and fitness.
Weekend: Double room, Full pension 240TL
Weekday: Double room, Full pension 220TL, half-pension 185TL, with breakfast only 140TL
(Rates incl. tax and access to all hotel activities)
Beykoz Cad. No:23 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 31 56
Fredi Pansiyon
Further down past the village centre, Fredi Pansiyon lies to the side of a vast pasture filled with yellow flowers. The main building, which houses the reception, has 18 rooms. However, there is a second building further down the hill, which is ideal for bigger groups who wish to have a place to themselves. With 9 cozy rooms along one corridor you can really make it your own home. Not to worry though, the rooms are also available individually if you prefer a calm and romantic weekend! Behind these lie the pension’s Obara Restaurant whose flowering garden beckons with its rich colors and the numerous hammocks hanging beyond the tables and chairs. Fredi Pansiyon is entirely run by the welcoming family that owns it, and makes for a perfect getaway for those simply looking to eat, sleep and read in the shade.
Front House: Double room with breakfast 85 TL
Back House: Double room, half-pension 160TL
Cumhuriyet Cad. Gurbuz Çihmazı No: 2 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 30 47
Eating & Drinking:
You will immediately catch an enticing whiff of meat grilling nearby for barbecuing is the way to go in Polonezköy. Although fish and vegetable dishes are also available, dining options strongly focus on meat!
Leonardo Restaurant & Café
A small haven for those who appreciate nature in comfort and good food. Leonardo restaurant and café is spread over a lovely landscape that can equally be enjoyed from the rustic indoors as from the outdoors where you can also take advantage of the sumptuous pool in the summer time. The food and service are on par with the lovely surroundings. The menu is varied, bringing together dishes from the Turkish, Polish, Austrian, French and Slav cuisines though typical dishes like the Kievski, Steak Polonez and Leonardo böreği (pastry) are strongly recommended. Make sure you don’t leave without sampling one of their scrumptious daily desserts together with a glass of homemade walnut, orange or sour cherry liquor.
Kluski (polish ravioli) 20TL, Leonardo böreği 13TL, Steak Polonez 28TL, Desserts 8-12TL, Glass of wine 16TL
Köy içi Sok. No: 32 Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 30 82
Working hours for both weekdays and weekends 8:30-21.00 (or later depending on number of guests)
Polen Et ve Mangal (Meat and Barbecue)
If you’re in the mood to kick back and enjoy a more casual ambiance this is a perfect choice. Open only in the summer, Polen has tables spread over its spacious lawn where you truly get the feel of a country side meal surrounded by greenery and the occasional rooster crowing. Choose from a variety of meats that you can have prepared for you or, to really get in the spirit of things, cook yourself on a charcoal barbecue they bring to your tableside. An assortment of side dishes is also available.
Lamb chops (Kg) 65TL, Köfte (meatballs)(Kg) 45TL, Chicken (Kg) 30TL, Mezes 5TL, Beer 5TL, Bottle of white wine 35TL
75. Yil Cad. No: 1a Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 432 31 03
Working hours: Weekdays: 9.00- 20.00; weekends 9.00-22.00
What to buy
Although Polonezköy isn’t known for its shopping, don’t miss out on some small treasures the village has to offer…
Arıcılık Müzesi (Bee-keeping Museum)
Don’t be fooled by the name – this place is more of a small paradise for honey-lovers than it is a museum! Located at the centre of the village, the ‘museum’ will first grab your attention with its numerous jars of different types of honey displayed at the entrance. The jovial ‘beekeeper’ and his helpers will be happy to show you into a room filled with beekeeping memorabilia, books, instruments, photos and products including hand-made bee-wax candles (great for clearing cigarette smoke) and a full array of beauty products. From face and body cream to face masks and peelings, made primarily from bee milk and honey, these natural products are sure to make great gifts to bring back home. However, make sure you don’t go anywhere before sampling the delicious assortments of honey, amongst which the ‘creamy honey’, not available anywhere else, will have you licking your fingers!
Honey: 450gr 20TL, 850gr 35TL. Bee-wax candles: 1-4TL. Face cream 20TL, Mask 20TL
Village centre, Polonezköy / İstanbul. Tel: (0216) 324 18 87
Hayriye Teyze’s
This small shop, next to the Arıcılık Müzesi, greets you with an outdoor stand piled with different colored jars. Looking closer you will see that these are labeled with the names of fruits indicating the type of homemade jam inside. Sour cherry, plum, quince, mulberry, peach, fig… just take your pick from the endless selection! Other items of interest are the fresh tarhana and the natural bars of soap made from olive oil – apparently it does wonders for skin and hair. The inside of the store is like a mini-bazaar with an array of objects ranging from Babushka dolls to toy trucks... The cheerful and welcoming owner will be happy to help and have a chat, if you have the time.
Jam: 6TL. Olive oil soap: 9TL.
Village centre, Polonezköy / İstanbul.
What to see
Czestochova Mother Mary Church and Polonezköy Cemetery
It’s easy to miss the church, surrounded by daisies and off to the side of the main road before you enter the village. Walking up the flowered lane in the cool shade of the trees with the church rising up ahead of you, you truly feel yourself to be entering a place of sanctuary. The church is beautiful in its simplicity both from the inside and outside and is well worth a visit. Across the road in the small peaceful cemetery lie the graves of all the Polish founders and residents.
Church open only on Saturdays (grounds accessible every day)
Zofia Ryzy House
Just past the Adampol Club, and through a small gate, you will feel like Alice in Wonderland walking down a tunnel of greens lit up by dazzling flowers before stumbling on a charming little cottage house. This was Polonezköy’s first pension; modest yet warm the house and furniture have been kept in an impeccable state and you almost feel as though you were taking a step back in time. The cottage, which houses Zofia Ryzy and her family’s memorabilia, old photos, books and historical documents acts as a small history museum for the village. We highly recommended taking a moment to simply appreciate the beauty of the house itself, while gaining a better understanding of the history of the village.
Entry: 1TL
Only open on weekends and holidays, 11:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:00