Gökçeada's Brief Social and Architectural Story
- In the 1960s, the closure of Greek schools, land expropriation, and the establishment of a semi-open prison led to forced migrations from the island
- The island's name was changed from Imbros to Gökçeada by decree on July 29, 1979
- At Yenibademli Mound in Kaleköy, 5,000-year-old settlement traces: walls, house foundations, stone axes, arrowheads
- 52% of the island is a protected site — construction is controlled, architecture must match local character
- Turkey's first and only Cittaslow island; organic farming pilot region; eco, agro, and underwater tourism potential
Gökçeada — or Imbros, as it was known from antiquity until 1979 — hosts countless stories and events yet exudes great tranquility, innocence, and simplicity. In this article, we examine the island's social transformation, historical process, and architectural fabric as a whole.
Why Did the Island Fall Silent? The Turning Point of the 1960s
Gökçeada's long-standing social, economic, and cultural vitality experienced a major decline from the 1960s onward. There were three main reasons for this decline:
- Closure of Greek schools — By a 1964 National Security Council decision, Greek schools across the island were closed. A centuries-old educational tradition was interrupted.
- Land expropriation — Fertile agricultural lands were expropriated by the state at very low prices. Families who lost their livelihoods were left desperate.
- Semi-open prison — A semi-open prison was established in the south of the island for convicts sentenced for the most serious crimes. The free movement of inmates directly affected the daily lives of islanders.
When these three developments came in succession, the Greek population was left socially, economically, and culturally helpless. Forced migrations began. The Greek population, around 5,000 in 1960, has now dwindled to 200-300 people.
However, this process had an unexpected side effect: The wave of construction and consumption that consumed Turkey's coasts bypassed G��kçeada. The island remained a virgin place that the crazy holiday mentality and rampant construction sector had not yet discovered — perhaps fortunately so.
Historical Process: A Summary of 5,000 Years
Ancient Period
The island was known as the land of abundance of Imbrasos, called "the god of fertility on barren lands." It appears in Homer's Iliad as the island of the sea god Poseidon.
Excavations at Yenibademli Mound in Kaleköy, conducted by Hacettepe University's Archaeology Department since 1996, have proven that the island's history dates back 5,000 years. Remains from the Early and Late Bronze Age include wall ruins, house foundations, ceramics, spindle whorls, stone axes, flint arrowheads, polishing stones, and grinding stones.
Periods of Rule
The first settlers of the island are considered to be the Pelasgians. Then, in order:
- Persians — Brief rule
- Athenian City-State — Took the island around 500 BC
- Roman Empire
- Latin Kingdom
- Republic of Venice
- Republic of Genoa
- Ottoman Empire — From 1455 under Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror; lasted 471 years
- Greek occupation — 1912
- British occupation — 1915 (during the Gallipoli Campaign)
Under the Treaty of Lausanne, it was returned to the Republic of Turkey on September 22, 1923, together with Bozcaada (Tenedos).
By decree dated July 29, 1979, the name Imbros was officially changed to Gökçeada.
Architectural Fabric: Stone, Earth, and Memory
The Architectural Language of Greek Villages
The Greek villages are Gökçeada's most striking architectural assets. Two main concerns determined the choice of village locations:
- Protection from pirate attacks — High hills and areas far from the sea were preferred
- Preserving agricultural land — Fertile coastal areas were not opened for settlement
Greek houses were generally built using natural stones quarried from the island and earth mortar in a rubble masonry technique. The architectural fabric of the villages consists of the following elements:
- Two-story stone houses (ground floor: storage/barn, upper floor: living area)
- Cobblestone narrow streets
- Churches and chapels
- Laundry houses (communal use)
- Squares where coffeehouses and shops gather
Vineyard Houses: The Island's Hidden Heritage
In the past, Gökçeada residents spent most of the year in vineyard houses in the fields. These one- or two-story structures, called "dam," were built for shelter in agricultural and livestock areas. Although many are now ruins or foundations, they are found everywhere on the island and form an important part of its spatial identity.
Construction Control
On Gökçeada, a large portion (52%) of which is a protected site, architectural projects must be prepared in accordance with the local fabric. Construction is kept under strict control.
Tourism of the Future: What Does Gökçeada Invite?
In today's world, where everything is turned into a commodity and nature is destroyed under the name of tourism, Gökçeada charts a different path. With its organic farming, nature-integrated architecture, and sensitivity to ecological values, the island seems to have discovered the tourism of the future in advance.
Being chosen as a pilot region for organic farming and livestock, and its integration into the Cittaslow (Slow Cities) network, provide important clues about the island's future.
Gökçeada's Distinctive Values
- Turkey's first and only underwater national park
- Pilot region for organic farming production
- 1st in the Aegean Sea, 4th in the world in terms of freshwater resources
- Turkey's westernmost point: İnceburun
- One of 9 settlements that are members of Cittaslow
- Mediterranean monk seal protection area
- More than half of the island is a protected site
- Turkey's largest island
- Endemic to Gökçeada: the Imbros Sheep
Tourism Potential
With its natural, geographical, historical, and cultural riches, Gökçeada has potential for all of the following types of tourism:
- Eco-tourism and agro-tourism
- Underwater diving tourism and water sports
- Nature sports (trekking, cycling, surfing)
- Health and alternative therapy tourism
- Coastal and cave tourism
- Birdwatching and botanical tourism
- Culture and history tourism
- Camping and festival tourism
- Culinary (gastronomy) tourism
Villages and Exile
When talking about Gökçeada, exile inevitably comes to mind. On one hand, the Greeks who considered the island their homeland for centuries had to leave their homes from the 1960s onward for political reasons; on the other hand, the adaptation process of Anatolian people who were settled in new villages established in various parts of Turkey because their own villages were expropriated.
Today, the historic Greek villages stand like an open-air museum. Restoring these houses and bringing them back to life within the scope of preserving cultural heritage on a universal scale is both a necessity and a responsibility.
To understand the changes the island has undergone and its current cultural structure, it is useful to take a closer look at Gökçeada's cultural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Gökçeada's old name and when was it changed?
Known as Imbros (Greek: Imbros) since antiquity, the island's name was changed to Gökçeada by decree on July 29, 1979.
What happened in Gökçeada in the 1960s?
In 1964, Greek schools were closed, fertile agricultural lands were expropriated at low prices, and a semi-open prison was established in the south of the island. These developments led the majority of the Greek population to leave the island.
Why are the stone houses in Gökçeada important?
The stone houses in the Greek villages are century-old structures built with island stone and earth mortar using rubble masonry technique. All five historic villages are under architectural protection (SIT). 52% of the island is a protected site.
What type of tourism is Gökçeada suitable for?
It has potential for more than 10 types of tourism, including eco-tourism, agro-tourism, diving, surfing, trekking, birdwatching, botany, cave, gastronomy, and culture tourism.
What are the oldest historical findings on Gökçeada?
Excavations at Yenibademli Mound in Kaleköy, ongoing since 1996, have uncovered wall remains, house foundations, ceramics, stone axes, and flint arrowheads dating back to 3000 BC.
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