 IZMIR
Area
:11.973km²
İzmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population
of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul,
and a good transport hub. Once the ancient city of Smyrna, it is
now a modern, developed, and busy commercial centre, set around
a huge bay and surrounded by mountains and was. The broad
boulevards, glass-fronted buildings and modern shopping centres
are dotted with traditional red-tiled roofs, the 18th century
market, and old mosques and churches, although the city has an
atmosphere more of Mediterranean Europe than traditional Turkey.
The climate is comfortable, with a relatively mild summer due to
the refreshing breeze from the Aegean. The long attractive palm-fringed
promenade, Birince Kordon, which stretches the entire length of
the city up to the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, is a popular spot
for evening walks, and there are many cafes along the waterfront.
Izmir has a good selection of culture and entertainment, from
the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museums, to the Izmir State
Opera and Ballet and Izmir State Symphony Orchestra, to the many
bars and clubs. The cosmopolitan and lively city gets even
busier during the International Izmir Festival (mid-June to mid-July)
with music and dance, with performances also in nearby Cesme and
Ephesus.
SELÇUK
–EPHESSUS RUINS
 South
of Izmir on the south Aegean, Selcuk has been transformed since
the 1990s into a major tourist destination, mainly as a base to
visit the famous ruins of Ephesus a few kilometres away. The
ancient classical city is one of the best preserved in the
eastern Mediterranean and is a great example of Roman
architecture.
Selcuk has many historical remains of early Christianity,
including a house which many believe to have been visited by the
Virgin Mary, and Ayasoluk Hill where St John write his Gospel.
There are many small hotels and guest-houses, restaurants and
shops which makes the town a good base to explore the area. The
town gets busy during the famous annual camel wrestling
festival, held in Ephesus around February.
History
According to ancient inscriptions, Ephesus is thought to have
been inhabited since around 3000 BC, roughly the same time as
Smyrna, and evidence of Ion, Roman, Byzantine, Seljukian and
Ottoman civilisations are still seen today. The ancient city was
a good centre for trading, mainly because of its location close
to coast, and religion. It was known for the cult of Cybele, the
Anatolian fertility goddess, then later for Artemis, the virgin
goddess for which a temple was built in her honour.
The temple was destroyed in 356BC, and when Alexander the Great
passed through in 334 BC he offered to pay for the cost of a new
construction, provided it was dedicated to him. The Ephesus
people declined, and rebuilt it with great success.
When the Romans made Ephesus their provincial capital, it became
a busy town with great commercial, trading and political
importance, and a population that grew to around 250,000. A
significant Christian community grew, and the city was visited
by St John the Evangelist in the 1st century, then by St Paul,
who was there between 51-53 AD and wrote some of his epistles.
It was also the venue of two Ecumenical Councils.
 But
the success of Roman Ephesus began to dwindle, mainly because of
problems connected to the harbour, which was the main source of
trade. The Cayster River was pushing silt up the harbour and
despite attempts to dredge it and rebuild the harbour, the sea
was pushed back to Pamucak, 4km away, and therefore Ephesus lost
its source of wealth. By the 6th century, the city was
unliveable and was shifted near to St John’s Basilica, and by
1090 it was taken over by the Turks.
Climate
Similar to a typical Mediterranean climate, the region has hot
and dry summers, reaching around 30 degrees. The winters are
cool and wet, and the nights can get cool and drop below 10
degrees.
BERGAMA
 Located
100 km north of İzmir in the Bakırçay river basin, Bergama is
one of Turkey's oldest civilized settlements and it has been
inhabited from pre-historic times through the Ionic, Roman and
Byzantine civilizations. It has yielded archeological treasures
of which importance is recognized world-wide.To the southwest of
Bergama, Asclepion, an important health center of the ancient
world, the acropolis founded on top of a steep hill (300 m) and
the Temple of Serapis (Kızıl Avlu) make this area a fascinating
stop for history-loving tourists. The Altar of Zeus was smuggled
to Germany in 1897.
 History
The modern day name comes directly from its ancient name,
Pergamum. Known for centuries for its monuments, it was a great
city and served as the centre of Pergamum kingdom. Its location
made it strategic in the Middle Ages and it was the centre of
the Karesioğullari Principality before it finally became a part
of the Ottoman State. The city's golden era was during the reign
of Attalos I and his son Eumenes II, the time when an acropolis,
theatre and other important projects were completed. It was an
important city in the Roman period. The city experienced many
developments during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD), and it
was adorned with Roman works of art. In the Byzantine era after
the spread of Christianity, Bergama was first under the
influence of the bishopric of Ephesus, and then became a
metropolis.
ÇEŞME
Çeşme is a charming convergence of healing mineral springs,
excellent beaches, crystal clear waters and sun, perfect for
vacationers. It is located 94 km west of İzmir, on the very tip
of the peninsula that bears its name. It was called as the 'little
harbor' by sailors, but in the course of time, the area became
known as Çeşme (Fountain) due to the increasing number of
fountains with ice - cold waters. The Erythrai Ancient City
excavated in (the village of) Çeşme-Ildırı, the Castle,
Caravanserai and many fountains from Ottoman Period and the
other examples of civil architecture in the historical texture
of the city compose the historical and archaeological remains of
the area.
Today the remains of the Acropolis can be seen on top of the
hill which is in the city centre. Small statuettes offered to
the Temple of Athena Pallas were found during the excavations in
the Acropolis. One of the most important finds is the statue of
a woman belonging to Archaic Age. It is on display in the İzmir
Museum of Archaeology.
 History
Çeşme, the port of Erythrai Ancient City, was called as Cyssus
in Ancient Times. It was an important settlement area in the 6th
century BC. The city developed its trade by establishing
relations with Egypt, Cyprus and Western Countries.
Climate
The Mediterranean
Climate is dominant in Çeşme. It is quite hot and exposed to the
winds blowing from the north.
FOÇA 
Foça, which is 70 km. north - east of İzmir, is one of the most
important centers amongst 12 Ion cities, established at Aegean
coasts by Ions. Foça, besides its historical and archeological
importance, is a mythological settlement whose name is mentioned
in Homeros epic.
History
One of the most important centers, established by Ions, who have
established numerous settlements here, including Smyrna, and who
are escaped from Dor invasion of Greece, is Foça. Antic Foça
city is included by 12 Ion union, is at the Aiolis region. Foça,
who took Antic city Phokaia name from "seals", was an important
harbor and had an important naval forces at their era. Foça, had
established colonies in cities at eastern costs of Marsala and
Spain, Velia near Pastum and Alain of Corsica with its naval
fleet. Foça had lived Persia, Alexander the Great, Genevians and
Ottoman eras.
Phokaia city, which had entered into development period,
beginning from 7th century B. C., had shown great improvement in
sailing according to "Father of History", Heredot. Phokaians,
who were using fast ships with 50 shovels and 500 passenger
transportation power, were the first Helens who go for long sea
voyage. They have introduced Adriatic Etruria, İberia and
Tartessos to Helen world.
Climate
Totally Mediterranean climate is reigning in Foça. It passes as
hot and dry during summers and warm and rainy during winters. It
takes a windy sea weather from three sides. Average temperature
of summer months is 26 degrees, and its sea water temperature is
22 degrees. Hottest months of summer are July and August. |
