Turkey City: Izmir
The second largest port of the country (after Istanbul), Izmir (IZMIR) is the third in the number of population by the city of Turkey, the largest in the Aegean coast, as well as one of the most ancient human settlements of the Mediterranean.
Here, in the upper part of the narrow and long bay, sodged on both sides of the Mountains of Manisa, Yamanlar and Andcarlyg, people began to settle at the dawn of Neolith. In the XV millennium, these edges inhabited Hetta, but later people for unknown reasons left here (apparently, the reason was a sharp fluctuation of the sea level). In the years before. NS. Allen settlements already existed here, later united to a major shopping center, who received the name of Smyrna (the modern Bayracla region). This ancient city, which was one of the possible place of birth of Homer (Chios is the second), becomes the capital of the Ionia and the largest trading port of the region, for the first time in history "Overtime" rectilinear layout and multi-room at home, but after capturing his leaders, and then the Persians, he falls into decline. Under Alexander, the Macedonian city moves from the peninsula to the southern shore of the bay, turns through powerful walls and turns into an important center of the Ellinsky world again. The city survived a number of devastating invasions and earthquakes, not passed his tragic events of the independence of Turkey, when two thirds of the Greek population of the city were killed or ran (and before the beginning of the twentieth century, the Greeks and Armenians were almost 95% of local residents), and many old quarters were looted and burned. Therefore, few attractions have been preserved in the city, but thanks to its climate, the convenience of the land and maritime communication, Izmir quickly turned into a major business and tourist center.
- Yachts in the harbor of Izmir
- Bird’s Height Coast
- Saat-kouthons ("Clock tower")
- Corinth columns Agora
sights
The only surviving monument of the reasant period can be considered located in the plain part of the city agorrel (Open daily from 8.30 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 17.00, input – 4 try). The complex was founded at the beginning of the II century to. NS., However, the structures that have come down to this day refer to a later reconstruction conducted during the reign of the Roman emperor Mark Auraliya (II-III centuries. N. NS.). Ancient canals and watercourses are preserved (still workable, by the way), colonnade of fourteen Corinth columns on the west side and the northern portico. In the times of the Ottoman Empire, this place was used as a Muslim cemetery, so hundreds of gravestones occupy the whole eastern part of Agora. Works on the 25-year program of archaeological excavations, which began in 2003, from time to time lead to the closure of the complex to visit, so before the trip you must consult in the city tourist office or the archaeological museum about the opening time.
On the Hill Pagos, towering over the quarters of the old city from the south (southeast of Agora), is the Byzantine Fortress Cadifekale ("Velvet", The entrance is free), built on the site of more ancient defensive structures that were still erected by Lisimah – Diarat Alexander the Great. The center opened a small portion of the soil to show some ancient basements of the dungeons and halls (unfortunately, often frankly littered), a beautiful panorama opens from the walls, and the main tower, right under the crowns of pines, in the summer there is a small tea garden. But it is best to come here in the evening to see the sunset and picturesque lights of urban quarters. You can reach the fortress by bus number 33 from Konak Square, but it’s best to climb here on foot from Agora, passing through the once-elegant area of narrow streets and dilapidated buildings, several stairs and the Gypsy Quarter Izmir.
The conditional center of the city is the square Conak with mosque Yahla (1754 G.), decorated with bright tiles, elegant Saat-kilan ("Clock tower", 1901, considered the official emblem of the city) and mosque Conak. In the adjoining from the north Basaran Quarter, Located on the site of the ancient agor, the vintage caravan sheds are preserved Chakaloglu-khana and Kyzlaragasy Khana (XVIII B.), as well as mosque Hisar (1597 g.) and Shadirvan (Kemeralt, 1636 g.).
The south-west begins the main cultural center of Izmir, where they are located State Theater Opera and Ballet (occupies a wonderful mansion of the Ottoman era), Ataturk Cultural Center (There is also a platform of a local symphony orchestra), University Cultural Center, good Archaeological Museum (open daily, except Monday, from 8.30 to 17.30, entrance – 4 TRY) in the park Turgutreys lying almost opposite Ethnographical museum (open daily, except Monday, from 8.30 to 17.00, input – 2 TRY), Museum of Sculpture and Painting (the first floor works daily from 10.00 to 18.00, upper levels – from Thursday to Sunday, 10.00 to 17.00, input is free), as well as other places.
Northeast of the Konak district lies the square Kumhuret-Maidana With the equestrian statue of Gazi (it is interesting that she is put in honor of the liberation of Anatolia from the wrong, and now the same wrong elected the area of their headquarters – the NATO Officers office and Family Recreation Center lies right behind the Hilton Hotel on Sevgi Yolu). Near the seaside boulevard stretches nearby Birinci Kordon, Built-up luxurious mansions, embassies and restaurants who are located in those few buildings that survived after the pogroms of 1922. In one of these houses is located and quite boring Museum Ataturk (open daily, except Monday, from 8.30 to 17.30, the entrance is free), adjacent from the south to the same old as an ascendzhk, much less affected by the 1922 fires. Here, too, you can find whole quarters of the mansions of the XVIII-XIX centuries, once belonged to Christians climbing with beautiful terraces. Now they also have expensive restaurants and bars, offices and private residences, and a private gallery of modern Turkish art has been opened in one of them Selcuk Yasar Sanat Galerisi (open from June to September, from Monday to Friday, from 10.00 to 18.00, input is free).
Leaving Aslandzhak towards the city center, not to power the 40-hectic park Coultures (Open daily from 8.00 to 24.00), broken on the spot completely burned the Greek quarter. "Culture" In his behalf, only a parachute tower, an İzmir television center, permanent exhibition halls of the annual trade fair of the city, zoo, artificial lake, an outdoor theater plus a dozen casino, nightclubs and tea gardens.
Unlike other Turkish cities, the huge Bazaars of Izmir do not have any architectural features. These are just huge shopping areas, often covering whole quarters, where you can literally get lost. The central streets of such markets are usually given under the shops of clothing, shoes and jewels, adjacent alley specialize in leather products, which are famous for the city, and in the outskirts of different areas there are different shops. True, there is one exception – a beautiful caravansery of the XVIII century Kyzylargasy Khana Near Hisar Mosque (XVI in.), transformed into a major shopping center, focused mainly on foreigners and famous for their carpets.
Carsionakia district (translated – "Other shore") fully justifies your name. It is located on a small peninsula on the north shore of the Izmir Bay and is famous for its seaside restaurants and cafes, which are practically hanging over the waters of the bay. The only monumental monument here – The grave of Deugean Hanoe, Mother Ataturk. West, for Cape Sag, begins checks for evaporation of sea salt, around which salted swamps are stretched under the bird nature reserve.
Among the sights of Izmir also need to be noted the so-called Terms Diana and world famous thermal sources Balchov ("Sources of Agamemnon") on the basis of which a large balneological center has been created, allowing to combine treatment with a beach rest and an extensive cultural program.
Tourist offices
Tourist offices can be found in the arrival hall of the airport (open daily: from November to March – from 8.00 to 17.00; from April to October – from 8.30 to 20.thirty; Phone – (0232) 274-22-14). In the city itself there are central bureau for 344 Sok 2 (from June to October open daily from 8.30 to 19.00; From November to May – from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 17.thirty; Phone – (0232) 483-51-17), office on the first floor of the hotel Buyuk Efes on Gaziosmanpasa Bulvar (telephone – (0232) 445-73-90). Tourist police have its own kiosk near Saat-kounomy on Konak Square (from November to March open from 8.00 to 17.00; from April to October – from 8.30 to 20.thirty; Phone – (0232) 489-05-00), in which you can also get cards and brochures.
Around the city
In the vicinity of the city also lies many unique historical sites and modern seaside resorts.
V Kemalpashe There are a unique hatt bas-relief of the followingbab ("Father Hittov", XIII B. to N. NS.) And the ruins of the Maiden Castle (Kizales), in which in 1244 there was a wedding of the daughter of Friedrich II and the Byzantine Emperor John III. Only three floors of the structure survived from the castle, but its former power is visible even in these remains.
Aydynoglu-Mehmet Bay Mosque deserve attention (XIV in.) In the village Birgi (Birgi, 26 km southeast Izmir) – In its construction, fragments of more ancient temples are used, ranging from the Ellin and Roman columns and ending with the lion bas-reliefs of the Seljuk’s period, the picturesque mountain lake Göljük in a wooded intergranty basin of the north of the town of Udemis, as well as Old Mountain Citadel dash in the mountains Aydin.
