Maltepe on the Sea of Marmara

Maltepe is located on Istanbul’s Anatolian side, on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. This location provides a geographic reference point within the city when choosing a hotel in Maltepe. The destination combines coastal parks with archaeological landmarks in different parts of the district. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth distinguishing between coastal areas and historic sites in Küçükyalı and Başıbüyük. In addition to the coastal area, a velodrome and historical interpretations are among the subjects that help put Maltepe in context.

Coastal Parks and Velodrome

The Orhangazi Şehir Park is located along the coast and is 3.2 kilometers long. The park contains a cycling track called the Velodrome; in 2026, the track markings were renewed. The name Velodrome refers to the cycling track within the park, not to the park itself. Maltepe Sahil Park is home to one of Istanbul’s largest waterfront developments. The two coastal areas can be compared using different measures: the length of Orhangazi Şehir Park is specified, while Maltepe Sahil Park’s waterfront development is described in relation to other facilities in Istanbul.

Culture and Archaeological Sites

Bryas Palace is considered the oldest known building in Maltepe and dates from the 9th century. In addition, a total of 96 cultural assets are registered in Maltepe. These figures reflect two aspects of the cultural heritage: the palace is a specific building with an established date, while the number covers the district’s registered holdings as a whole. This makes it possible to connect the early history of construction with a broader view of Maltepe’s cultural assets.

The Küçükyalı ArkeoPark in Küçükyalı, within the boundaries of Maltepe district, is among the major archaeological sites. The site now operated as Küçükyalı ArkeoPark contains a building that is believed to be the Satyros Monastery. Tekke Bayırı in Başıbüyük is also described as a major archaeological site within the district boundaries. The two place names refer to different archaeological sites; the possible identification as a monastery applies to the building in Küçükyalı ArkeoPark.

Vordonisi and Its Historical Context

Vordonisi is located near Maltepe: it is an island about one kilometer offshore, at a depth of three meters. It sank along with the monastery on it during the Great Byzantine Earthquake of 1010. Unlike the archaeological sites in Küçükyalı and Başıbüyük, Vordonisi lies offshore and underwater. The island is therefore geographically distinct from the named sites within the district and broadens the historical perspective to include underwater heritage.

The dates also refer to different things: the 9th century dates Bryas Palace, while 1010 is the year of the earthquake in which Vordonisi sank along with the monastery. One date places a building in time; the other dates an event that affected the island and monastery.

The geographic figures also use different measures: 3.2 kilometers is the length of Orhangazi Şehir Park, while about one kilometer is Vordonisi’s distance offshore. They therefore put a land-based park length alongside an approximate island distance over water.

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