Istanbul is one of the world's oldest, most beautiful metropolises. Indeed, the Princes' Islands are among the foremost elements of the city confirming the truth of this statement.
Today, as in the past, the Princes' Islands are the most important symbol of Istanbul life, thanks to their unique natural, historical, and multicultural heritage. And it is for the purpose of documenting, preserving, and passing on to future generations this very same heritage that the Islands Museum, a city museum, is being established.
Located on the island of Büyükada, the museum will be inaugurated in July 2010. the Islands Museum Project will operate in conjunction with both the Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar House on the island Heybeliada and the Sait Faik Museum on Burgazada, once restoration of both has been completed.
The Islands Museum Project is a collaborative project of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency and the Islands Foundation, with the Islands Municipality also a contributing partner.
Around 40 specialists from various universities have actively been taking part in the efforts to establish the Islands Museum, efforts which have been underway since March 2009. In addition to the specialists, local volunteers from the Islands, both those presently living in Turkey as well as those hailing from the Islands but currently residing in other countries, have contributed greatly to the museum with their impressive knowledge and collections, and most certainly will continue to do so.