Now declared a national park, the village of Polonezkoy (literally meaning “Polish Village” in Turkish) traces its origins to the mid-19th century. Back in the 1840s, Polish refugees settled into the village, creating a colony led by Adam Czartoriski. He pleaded for political asylum and requested Sultan Abdulmecid to allow them to use this land after they fled from their homeland. And the gracious sultan gave the Polish exiles permission to use this bit of land located at the outskirts of the city of Istanbul, between Sile and Kavacik.
Back then, there were only 12 people who made their home there. They called it Adampol – in honor of their leader, Czartoriski. It later grew to a population of around 500. Throughout time, the village remained distinctively Polish in character.
When you first enter Polonezkoy, you will be struck by the effortless beauty it projects. The streets are lined with small wooden villas that have since been restored to retain their Polish look. These houses are enclosed by low walls and tall trees. The gates are particularly charming, with everblooming roses providing a delightful welcome. Now, some of these villas are hotels or inns that cater to tourists.
Polonezkoy is blessed with a forest, where you can take a hike along the woods. You can also go biking or horseback riding. You can hire the horses and bikes at the town center. You can also explore the village itself – aside from the cozy wooden houses, you can look at the Church of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This statue is a revered symbol in Poland. There is also an interesting cemetery and a house dedicated to the memory of Zofia Rizi.
Come summertime, Polonezkoy dons a more festive atmosphere, especially on weekends when there is a market that specializes in local produce with locals dressed in traditional Polish clothes. You can also join in at the Polish folk dances in the square. Yes, June is the time for the Cherry Festival. After all, Polonezkoy is known for its great cherries.
The best way to go to the village is to hire a car and drive there. If you’re coming from the European side, head for the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (north of Istanbul) and then go to the first exit towards Beykoz/Kavacik. Then it’s a pretty straightforward 15-minute drive to the village. You won’t miss it as there are signs pointing to Polonezkoy at most junctions.