Bozcaada (Tenedos)
Bozcaada Island, former name Tenedos, is located to the south of the Strait of the Dardanelles about 5 kilometers away from the mainland. When approaching Bozcaada by ferry, the charming white houses, the narrow streets fileld with flowers and the restaurants, tavernas and cafes lined around the stunning harbour at the foot of the well preserved Bozcaada Fortress come into sight.
The only transportation to Bozcaada is the daily boat trips from the Geyikli Harbour in Canakkale. This short trip takes about 30 minutes. There is a direct flight of Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Canakkale. There are also many bus trips from many cities in Turkey to Canakkale. There are also some bus trips from Istanbul directly to the Geyikli Harbour. The bus trip and the boat trip takes approximately 6-7 hrs from Istanbul. On the way you can also visit Gallipoli. From Izmir, you have to take follow the main road to Canakkale or simply take a bus which takes about 5 hrs. On the way you can visit Pergamum, Ayvalik and Assos.
Due to its strategic position close to the mouth of the Dardanelles, Bozcaada was occupied by the Greeks, the Persians and the Romans. The Bozcaada Fort was built on the northeastern cape of Bozcaada. After the island was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century, the Bozcaada Fortress was renovated into a much larger one.
Tenedos, is derived from Tenes, the name of the son of Kyknos, the King of Kolonoi in the famous Troad. According to the legend, after the death of Kyknos's wife, the king married again but the wicked stepmother, failing to seduce Tenes, accused him for raping. Kyknos, to punish his guilty son, put him out to sea in a locked chest which then ran on Leukophrys Island. The inhabitants of the island saved Tenes and made him their king. The name of the island then was changed to Tenedos. When King Kyknos discovered the truth, put his wife to death and got reconciled with his son. Unfortunately later on they were both killed by Achilles. According to Homer's account of the Trojan War in the Iliad, the great Greek fleet anchored at Tenedos, describing it as a strategic island opposite Troy.
The most important must-see in Bozcaada is naturally the Bozcaada Fortress. Bozcaada Fortress served the Byzantines, Venetians and Genoans, although there is no evidence indicating who exactly built the fortress. Still maintaining its glory, this is one of the foretresses that is kept in best condition in Turkey. Because of the clean sea in Bozcaada, you can even swim in the small harbour of the island. But the popular beaches of Bozcaada are located in the south part of the island. The Ayazma and Habbele beaches can be reached by the minibuses that depart next to the entrance of the fortress. Besides the beaches, narrow and cosy streets and the old houses of the Bozcaada Island should be also seen.
Bodrum is famous with its old windmills however today the great weathercocks are the new symbols of Bozcaada. Until recent years the electricity need of Bozcaada has been provided by generators. Today the first and the biggest wind power plant in Turkey is located in Bozcaada Island. It is quite impressive to watch 17 weathercocks spinning at sunset.