Monastery of Saint George Koudounas

The Monastery of Saint George Koudounas on Büyükada stands at the summit of Aya Yorgi Hill, the island’s highest point. Founded in the 10th century under Nikephoros Phokas, it survived destruction by Crusaders and pirates and was later rebuilt. Byzantine forms remain visible in the church, while a nearby viewpoint offers panoramas of the Sea of Marmara and the neighbouring islands. Every year on 23 April, pilgrims come to honour the saint.

Legend says that a shepherd bringing his flock to the hill heard bells ringing beneath the ground. When he dug at the spot, he found an icon of Saint George decorated with small bells. The monastery therefore became known as Koudounas, from the Greek koudounas, meaning “bells.”