History of Gökçeada (Imbros): From Neolithic to Today

I can't get a scene out of my mind from a day on Gökçeada, walking along the old market road: an elderly Greek neighbor sitting on a plastic chair in front of his shop, speaking a mix of Turkish and Greek; the young man across from him didn't understand but nodded with a smile. That scene summed up the last hundred years of Imbros for me in an instant. This island carries multiple memories at once.

Stone and Bronze Ages: The Island's First Inhabitants

Yenibademli Höyük: 5000 Years of Life Traces

Everyone passing through Yenibademli sees it, but most don't stop to look. That low mound at the village entrance is Gökçeada's oldest known settlement record. During the 2025 excavation season, remains of 5 circular dwellings dating back to 3000 BC were uncovered at Yenibademli Höyük; this find is one of the most concrete pieces of evidence regarding the island's Bronze Age settlement history. Yenibademli Village hides thousands of years of life layers beneath its bustling present-day identity.

The pottery and bone tools unearthed from the mound reveal that these communities lived not only by fishing but also by farming and animal husbandry. Archaeologists emphasize that the period between 3000 BC and 1200 BC is still largely unknown — meaning there are more stories beneath the island.

The Edremit Inscription and Trojan Age Connection

The Edremit Inscription directly links Imbros to the geopolitical world of the Bronze Age. Dating to around 1200 BC, this inscription indicates that the island had cultural ties with the Mira-Wilusa Kingdom in Anatolia; researchers connect this to the alliance networks of the Trojan War era. Located about 100 km from Troy, at the most strategic entrance to the Aegean straits, the island has attracted the attention of regional powers in every age.

Ottoman Rule and the Balkan Wars

After 1453, the island came under Ottoman rule, which allowed the Greek Orthodox community to manage its internal affairs through its own mechanisms. Church organization, the school system, and village fairs were the backbone of social life. Olive groves and fishing were passed down from generation to generation.

During the Balkan Wars of 1912, the island came under Greek administration. The 1923 Treaty of Lausanne ceded it to Turkey; but this time, with a meaningful guarantee for the Greek community.

From Lausanne to 1964: The Erasure of a Community

1923 Autonomy: A Promise Made

The Treaty of Lausanne granted Imbros and Bozcaada a special administrative status. The island's people could keep their own municipality, Greek-language schools, and administrative structure. At that time, about 99% of the population was native Greek; estimates put it at 8,000–9,000 people. Olive groves were family property, churches were open in the villages, and schools were functioning. The autonomy was strong on paper but fragile.

The 1964 Decrees and the Great Exodus

Starting in 1964, a series of decisions shook this balance. Greek schools were closed; families had to send their children to the mainland for education. Then came land confiscations and restrictive practices, one after another. Many families moved first to Istanbul, then to Athens and Australia. By the early 1970s, the Greek population had dwindled to a few hundred. The demographic traces of this period can also be seen in the history of the Settlement Villages; new settlers who came to the island moved into the emptied villages and lands.

The Return: Cultural Revival and Resistance

This season, as I pass through Tepeköy, I notice small icons hung in front of some houses and two generations chatting side by side in the garden. The reopening of Greek schools in 2013 and 2015 was a significant turning point on the islands. The second and third generations of the diaspora are now coming not just for vacation, but to stay.

Today, a permanent Greek community of about 250–300 people lives on the island. Every year on August 14–16, the fair in Tepeköy brings together thousands; the diaspora abroad specifically chooses that week. According to 2024 TÜİK data, the island's total population has reached 11,145 — though this number drops significantly in winter. Gökçeada's Greek heritage continues to be one of the island's strongest identity layers today.

The islanders usually carry this historical weight in silence. They neither romanticize nor forget it. Sentences that begin with "That's how it is here" actually contain a deep wisdom.

Experiencing Gökçeada's History Firsthand

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Gökçeada's oldest known settlement date back to?

Archaeological findings at Yenibademli Höyük date back to 3000 BC. During the 2025 excavation season, remains of 5 circular dwellings were uncovered. Beyond that, there are also inscription findings indicating that the island had relations with Trojan allies during the Bronze Age.

When was the name Imbros changed to Gökçeada?

In 1970, an administrative decision changed the official name to "Gökçeada." The name "Imbros" is still widely used in Greek, Greek diaspora, and some international sources.

How did the 1964 decrees affect the Greek community?

Greek schools were closed, some lands were confiscated, and working conditions were restricted. Families had to send their children to the mainland and then abroad for education. By the 1970s, the permanent Greek population had dropped to a few hundred.

Is there still a Greek community on the island today?

Yes. A permanent Greek community of about 250–300 people lives on the island year-round. Greek schools reopened in 2013 and 2015; the return movement from the diaspora continues to gain strength.

Where should I go to learn about Gökçeada's history on site?

The City Museum in the center is the most comprehensive place documenting the island's history — open weekdays 09:00–19:00, admission fee applies. Visiting Yenibademli Höyük and speaking with the active excavation team during July–August is also a way to directly connect with history.

If you'd like to check the current weather, you can visit our relevant page. You can also take a look at ferry schedules for transportation to Gökçeada.