Comments on: Europe’s Largest Wooden Building

By: Greece?

Greece? — Wed, 16 May 2007 22:50:23 +0000

Greece taking it back? What Greece to do with the Turkish orphanage? Should Turks ask for all the Athens given back to them then? After all, it was part of Turkey for 400 years, am I wrong?

By: Fotini Morehouse

Fotini Morehouse — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 02:16:38 +0000

The orphanage at Buyukada figured greatly in my life and my family’s life. I spent 7 years there before coming to the US in 1965. My mother had spent much of her early life there as well.

If you think it looks spooky now, you should see it from the inside.

Please tell us how we can help Greece win the orphanage back.

By: bill

bill — Sat, 20 Aug 2005 01:59:21 +0000

No smoking please

By: Benet

Benet — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 18:01:07 +0000

Based on some pictures I found on the web, it looks like the building is being looked after, but isn’t in that great of a shape:

http://www.ahsap.com/images/yetimhane.jpg (from this page http://www.ahsap.com/menu.php/en/5/5, which has some additional details)

http://www.archmuseum.org/galeri_resimler.asp?sayfa=5&id=12&exid=3 (several photos here)

Looks pretty creepy…

Also looks like the Turkish government has taken control of the building, over the objections of the Greek Orthodox community. (See http://www.archons.org/news/detail.asp?id=35 — towards the end of the page.) This action has been mentioned in reports regarding Turkey’s application to become a member of the EU (See http://washingtoninstitute.org/documents/41f55d73bea76.pdf).

By: Geoff

Geoff — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 09:00:19 +0000

Looking at that map, the island appears to be much closer to the Asian part of Turkey than the European part - which would put the island in Asia rather than Europe.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:27:46 +0000

I’ve been to Todaiji - it is taller (and it looks wider), but not as long. About 50 meters wide by 57 meters deep by 48 meters tall.

Here is some info http://web-japan.org/atlas/historical/his13.html

And here is the (useless due to low resolution) satellite image of Todaiji - Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 17:14:38 +0000

Just an observation, but if the building had been left alone for 30 years, it would likely be a little more overgrown with vegetation. It may not be used as an orphanage any more, but it certainly appears to be relatively well maintained.