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The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate has announced plans to convert the historic but long-abandoned Greek Orphanage on Istanbul’s Büyükada Island into a hotel, citing years of unsuccessful attempts to secure restoration funding.
The wooden structure, regarded as the largest wooden building in Europe and the second largest globally, has been in a state of disrepair for decades. Closed since the 1960s, the building is now structurally unsound.
Following a meeting of the Holy Synod chaired by Patriarch Bartholomeos, the Patriarchate released a statement noting that all efforts to fund restoration had failed.
“Numerous initiatives to secure financing for the restoration of the wooden orphanage complex, which was abandoned and severely damaged since the 1960s, have unfortunately not yielded results,” the statement read.
“As a result, it has been decided to proceed with plans to develop environmentally conscious tourism activities in a manner consistent with Büyükada’s architectural and social character.”
The Patriarchate said the decision was made “with respect for the legacy of the orphanage, which served the community for many years,” and in the hope that the project would contribute to the economic, social, and cultural development of the Princes’ Islands.
Greek media outlet Kathimerini reported that the orphanage may be leased to a consortium involving Turkish, Greek, and international tourism firms, with the lessee also expected to cover the costs of its conversion into a hotel.
The building, originally constructed as a hotel in the late 19th century, was never used as such and instead served as a Greek orphanage until it was shut down by Turkish authorities in 1964.
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