Agreement Signed to Convert Prinkipo Greek Orphanage into Luxury Hotel

18 June 2026 at 05:45

Greek Orphanage Istanbul — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signs the agreement for the Prinkipo Orphanage. Seen are Archbishop Makarios of Australia, chairman of the committee, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, and other representatives. Credit: Ecumenical Patriarchate/ Nikos Papachristou

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has signed an agreement with Turkish and Greek investment companies for the redevelopment of the historic Prinkipo Greek Orphanage on the island of Prinkipo (Buyukada), paving the way for the restoration and conversion of the landmark building into a high-end hotel.

The agreement was signed on June 15 by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Serdar Bilgili, Chairman of Bilgili Holding, a leading Turkish real estate investment company, in the presence of Costantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou, representing ENSOFI Holding, a Greek company active in sustainable tourism development and real estate investments.

According to an announcement issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the agreement concerns the management and redevelopment of the historic property, which has remained unused and deteriorating for decades.

The signing ceremony took place at the Maraslios School in the Phanar. Among those present were Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Chairman of the Special Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate that studied and finalized the agreement.

The history of the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage

The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage is one of the most significant historic properties associated with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Constructed at the end of the nineteenth century as the intended “Prinkipo Palace” hotel, the building was never used for that purpose. In 1903, it was donated to the Patriarchate by the benefactress Eleni Zarifi and subsequently operated as an orphanage and residence for children until 1964, when it was closed by Turkish authorities.

For decades, the future of the massive wooden structure remained uncertain. In 2010, following an appeal by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of the Patriarchate and recognized its ownership rights over the property after a lengthy legal dispute with the Turkish state.

That landmark decision enabled the Patriarchate to pursue options for preserving and restoring the historic building. However, efforts to restore it did not yield a solution because the cost of full restoration remained exceptionally high, and parts of the wooden edifice had already suffered severe collapses. According to the Patriarchate, the newly signed agreement represents the culmination of years of efforts to secure a sustainable future for the property while preserving its historical and cultural significance.

The Prinkipo Greek Orphanage is widely regarded as one of the largest wooden buildings in Europe and remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the historic Greek presence in Constantinople.