AREA: 11.973 km²
POPULATION: 2.694.770 (1990)
TRAFFIC CODE: 35

DISTRICTS: Bornova, Buca, Cigli, Karsiyaka, Konak, Menderes, Aliaga, Beydag, Bayindir, Bergama, Cesme, Dikili, Foca, Karaburun, KemalPasha, Kinik, Kira, Menemen, Odemis, Seferihisar, Selcuk, Tire, Torbali, Urla, Guzelbahce, Balcova, Cigli, Narlidere, Gaziemir.

Izmir is located in the western Aegean region and is Turkey's third largest city with over 3.5 million population and second most important port after Istanbul. The original name of Izmir is Smyrna, which comes from the Goddess Myrina, a deity worshipped before the Aeolians built their first settlement in the 10th c B.C. This name also refers to the Myrrha Commifera plant, which produces an aromatic resin. The city is set around a circular bay and is beautiful with its palm-lined promenades, avenues and green parks. Izmir is also an important commercial, industrial, business and congress center and has many good hotels.

Izmir is one of the oldest cities in the region and was originally thought to be established in northernmost corner of the gulf in present day Bayrakli and Karsiyaka, but the recent discovery of two mounds very close to each other in Yesilova and Yassitepe in the plain of Bornova and the new excavations carried out by a team of archaeologists from Izmir's Ege University under the direction of Associate Professor Zafer Derin, set the starting date of the city's history between 6500 and 4000 BC.

By 1500 BC, the area was under the influence of the Hittite Empire. The Hittites possessed a written language and mentioned several localities in the area in their records. Invasions from the Balkans in the 1200s BC, destroyed Troy VII and Hattusas, the capital of the Anatolian Hittite Empire. Anatolia (Turkey) fell back into a dark age that lasted till the emergence of the Phrygian civilization in the 8th century BC. The oldest house that has been unearthed is dated from this period. The walls of this well-preserved one-roomed house were made of sun-dried bricks and the roof of the house was made of reeds. Around that time, people started to protect the city with thick ramparts made of sun-dried bricks. From then on Smyrna achieved an identity of city-state. People generally made their living on agriculture and fishing.

The legendary Greek poet Homer, who is credited with writing the Iliad and the Odyssey was said to have been born in Izmir and according to the Greek historian Herodotus, the city was first established by the Aeolians, but shortly thereafter seized by the Ionians who developed it into one of the world's largest cultural and commercial centers of that period. The seizure of the city occurred in the following manner: Colophonians fleeing internal strife within their Ionian city had taken refuge in old Smyrna and took advantage of an opportunity that presented itself when Aeolian Smyrniots had gone outside the city ramparts for a festival in honor of Dionysus, taking possession of the city. Smyrna was added to the twelve Ionian cities, reaching a peak period between 650-545 B.C. This period was considered to be the most powerful period of the whole Ionian civilization. Under the leadership of the city of Miletus, Ionian colonies were established in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, the Marmara region, the Black Sea and in Greece. The colonies competed amongst themselves and were a match for Greece proper in many areas. Smyrna by this point was no longer a small town, but an urban center that took part in the Mediterranean trade.

WHERE TO VISIT ?

Izmir is located in the western Aegean region of Turkey and is a very ancient city with a long and interesting history. Smyrna was one of the ''Seven Churches of the Revelation''. The famous bishop Polycarp had served in Smyrna from 115-156 AD and was also martyred here. According to legend it is said that the blind poet Homer was born and lived in this area. Izmir is a modern, tolerant and vibrant city and a major port on the Aegean. It has a dramatic setting, because the city surrounds a great bay and is backed by mountains to the west and south. There are palm tree lined boulevards along the water, cafes, restaurants and shopping. Izmir is a convenient base for visiting Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardes and other important ancient sights and here are some things to see in and around Izmir:

The Agora of Smyrna
This agora is well preserved but many parts are still buried under modern buildings. Serious consideration has also been given to excavating the ancient theater which is still buried under an urban zone on the slopes of Kadifekale (Mount Pagos). The ancient market place, was first built in the 4th century BC. The agora was a meeting place for all commercial, political, and religious activities for the local people. It was surrounded mostly by state buildings on a rectangular plan with a large central courtyard and a covered stoa around it. The agora was destroyed several times by strong earthquakes and it was rebuilt. The final restoration was carried out by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. A large basilica has been found on the northern stoa. One of the main streets of Smyrna city intersected the agora dividing it in two equal parts, and there were entrance gates at both ends.

Clock Tower of Izmir The clock tower on Konak Square was built by architect Raymond Charles Pere in 1901 to commemorate 25th year of enthronement of the Ottoman sultan Abdulhamit I. The clock tower is 25 meters tall and has four levels on an octagonal plan. The North African style column capitals and the filled-in horseshoe-shaped

arches are interesting features of the tower. The clock mechanism was a gift from German Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Asansor (Elevator) The historical Asansor built in 1907 on Mithatpasa Street, and Dario Moreno Street running to the Asansor, are interesting places to visit in Izmir. Before its construction, a stairway with 155 steps was used to climb to the Halil Rifat Pasa district 50 meters above. This elevator tower has joined the two districts with the aid of two elevators. Besides its breathtaking panorama of the city on the Aegean Sea especially at sunset or at night, a restaurant today is serving to its customers. The Alsancak District The Alsancak district was formerly called Punto and is an elegant residential district of Izmir. The neighborhood is stretches from the waterfront (Kordon - which is lined with nice bars and fine restaurants) inland. Alsancak was a favorite place of Levantines, Greeks and Armenians. The Alsancak train station was built in 1858 in a colonial architecture style. Trains to Aydin, Denizli and Buca depart from here. There is also a busy port in Alsancak district where commercial and cruise ships dock and regular ferry connections between Alsancak and Karsiyaka districts. Izmir Castle Visit Kadifekale (velvet castle) for the best view of sunset or a panoramic view of Izmir. Kadifekale (Pagos)The castle which we see today along with its five towers and southern walls were restored several times by Byzantines, Seljuks, and finally Ottomans. Kadifekale was abandoned until 18th century and many stones from ancient buildings were used as construction material. After 18th century people started to settle again and in the last 50 years invaded by irregular housing. The castle at 186 meters above sea level is one of the highest points of the city. There was also a defense wall starting from the Acropolis and extending in the direction of Basmane district (old Sardis road), and another one in the direction of Esrefpasa district (old Ephesus road). Remains of aqueducts, a stadium, theater and agora can be seen around Pagos hill. The theater on the northern slope overlooking the gulf offered great views and had a capacity of 16 thousand seats. Kulturpark The Izmir International Fair (IEF) is held in Kulturpark which covers an area of over 400,000 square meters in the heart of the city. Aside from this main event, organized in the beginning of September each year, there are up to forty notable fairs and expositions events held around the year in different areas of activity. There are also open-air theatres, the Painting and Sculpture Museum, art centers, amusement park, zoo and parachute tower in the complex. The Archaeological Museum, near Konak Square, houses a superb collection of antiquities including the statues of Poseidon and Demeter which, in ancient times, stood in the Agora. Next to the Archeology Museum, the Ethnography Museum contains folkloric artifacts, which include a fine collection of Bergama and Gordes carpets, traditional costumes and camel bridle. The Ataturk Museum is situated on Ataturk Caddesi in an old Izmir house used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. It exhibits photographs of the leader as well as some of his personal effects. The Fine Arts Museum, located in Konak, displays the works of famous Turkish painters. The Selcuk Yasar Art Museum is a private museum on Cumhuriyet Bulvari with a collection of 20th-century Turkish art. Kemeralti Market Izmir's large bazaar with its maze of narrow streets is very colorful and it's a great place to shop with the locals.The bazaar is located near the Konak district. Originally it was built around 17th century right on the harbor and expanded in the following centuries as the port was silted in. Originally the shops were made of wood or bricks, some covered with domes. The name Kemeralti (under the arches) comes from the fact that there were streets covered with arches and shops underneath. Today, besides vaulted and domed shops of the past, here you can find modern business centers, stores, movie theaters, and cafeterias. All kinds of traditional Turkish handicrafts, ceramic ware, wooden objects, clothing, leather and kilims are sold in the markets, including food and fish for your daily shopping. Aqueducts of Izmir The Roman aqueducts were built on the Meles (Kemer) river to bring fresh water to the city. Double arches were formed with bricks, stones and mortar. Later the aqueducts were restored and used also by Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. Today only few sections left from a long aqueduct which can be seen in Sirinyer (old Kizilcullu) district. Bird Paradise Izmir Bird's Paradise is in Cigli, located 15 km west of Karsiyaka, and has 205 species of birds. There are 63 species of domestic birds, 54 species of summer migratory birds, 43 species of winter migratory birds, 30 species of transit birds. 56 species of birds have been breeding in the Park. Izmir Bird's Paradise which covers 80 square kilometer was registered as "The protected area for water birds and for their breeding" by Ministry of Forestry in 1982. Kizlaragasi Han This typical Ottoman building in Kemeralti neighborhood was built by Kizlaragasi Haci Besir Aga in the 18th century as a caravanserai. The Bedesten (Inn) is a square-shaped and two-level building, the large courtyard used to have a small pool in the middle. The upper floor had rooms for merchants stay. There were shops and rooms where servants of the tradesman used to sleep in the courtyard. Kizlaragasi Han, being also close to the port, was an important trade point in Izmir, and at certain times it even served as a local stock exchange. Kizlaragasi Han was restored in 1993 and converted into a handicrafts sales center. Havra Street and Synagogues of Izmir Havra is an important street of historical Kemeralti neighborhood. Local people come here to get their fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. The street gets its name from many Jewish synagogues (Havra in Turkish) built here. There are nine Synagogues on this street but only four are still in use. Beth Israel Synagogue This synagogue was built in 1905 by Nisim Levi in the Karatas quarter where an important Jewish community lived at the beginning of the 20th Century. At the entrance of the synagogue, in the upper-right corner, there is the opening date of 5668 according to the Jewish calendar, and on the upper-left corner there is the inscription Shaday (God). The interior of the synagogue is beautiful, woodworks are also impressive, and there are marble slabs with the names of the donors. The lower floor is reserved for men and has a capacity of up to 600 people, and the upper floor is reserved for ladies. Surprisingly, the Hakodesh (holy cabinet for Sefer Torah) is not to the east but to the south of the synagogue. Beth Israel is one of the two most frequented synagogues used today for important ceremonies, other one is a new synagogue located in Alsancak district where the main Jewish Community of the city now lives. Many other synagogues are rarely used. The Anglican Church The first Anglican Church in Izmir was built around 1625 by British Levantines of Smyrna. A second church was built in 1843 for the use of British living in Smyrna and named for St. John the Evangelist, completed in 1899 with a capacity of around 150 seats. It has beautiful wood carvings, stained glass windows and an impressive organ. A Vicarage built next to the church is now used as the British Consulate of Izmir. The church is located near the Alsancak train station. Another Anglican church in Izmir is the church of St. Mary Magdalene which was built around 1858 by British Levantines again, in Bornova. St. Mary Magdalene is located within the grounds of Ege University in Bornova. This church is closed except special occasions or scheduled services. Saint Polycarp Church This is the oldest Christian church in Izmir which was built in 1625 with the permission of Sultan Suleyman of the Ottoman Empire and by the wish of King of France Louis 13th. It was dedicated to St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred by the Romans in 155 AD, at the age of 86, in the stadium near Kadifekale. The church was badly damaged during earthquakes and fires in the 17th century, and was restored each time. Inside the church, next to the altar, there is a self-portrait of Raymond Pere, Levantine architect of the Clock Tower in Konak district.

 

SITES OF INTEREST: Dikili, Foça, Çeşme, Seferihisar and Gümüldür shores, Balçova-Çatalkaya cable lift, Asansör (Lift), Yamanlar-Karagöl, Tunay, Uzunkuyu, Belkahand and Çamlık forest recreation areas, Balçova-Agamemnon, Çeşme-Şifne, Bergama-Güzellik Hot Spring, Menemen, Seferihisar, Bayındır, Foça (Phokaia), Larisa, Erythrai, Klazomenai, Teos, Lebedos, Kolophon, Klaros, Notion and Efes (Ephesos) antique city ruins, House of Virgin Mary, Bayraklı, Kadifekale, Artemis Bath, Kızılçullu and Selçuk aquaducts, Agora of İzmir, Çeşme and Selçuk castles, Belevi Tumulus and Grave Monument, Bergama, Ödemiş and Tire Grand Mosques, Faik Pasha, Hisar, Hacı Hüseyin (Başdurak), Kestane Pazarı, Ali Ağa, Hatuniye, Çorak Kapı, Konak, Kurşunlu, Şadırvan, İkiçeşmelik, Salepcioğlu, İsa Bey, Mehmed Bey, Kazganoğlu, Yeni, Pasha and Rüstem Pasha Mosques, Kızlarağası, Mirkelamoğlu and Karaosmanoğlu Inns, Sultan Şah, Mehmed Bey, İbn Melek and Süleyman Şah mausoleums, İzmir Clock Tower, İzmir Atatürk and Menemen Kubilay Monuments, International İzmir Exposition, İzmir Archeology, İzmir Art and Sculpture, İzmir Atatürk, Efes Archeology, Bergama and Tire.

Camps

Bergama Camping
Bergama Y.Illıca / G.İzmir
Tel: (232) 633 39 02

Berksoy Turizm İşl.
Bergama
Tel: (232) 633 25 95

Afacan Motel Camping
Yenişarkan / İncirlik
Tel: (232) 628 70 30

Oba Camping
Güzbahçe / İzmir
Tel: (232) 234 20 15

U-Camp Çeşmealtı
Urla / İzmir
Tel: (232) 755 10 21

Evren Camping
Karaburun / İzmir
Tel: (232) 489 94 54

V-Camp
Ilıca-Çeşme / İzmir
Tel: (232) 717 22 24

Denizatı Camping
Gümüldür / İzmir

Dalpet Camping
Aydın Yolu/İzmir
Tel: (232) 257 52 01

Turiste Motel Camping
İzmir
Tel: (232) 722 12 21

Pamucak Tur. Tes.
Selçuk
Tel: (232) 892 36 36

National Parks And Forest Campsites

Gümüldür
66 Evler Gümüldür / İzmir
Tel: (232) 793 19 97

Tanay
Şifne Yolu, Ilıca / Çeşme
Tel: (232) 729 35 76

Teos-Emeksiz
Sığacık, Seferihisar / İzmir
Tel: (232) 369 64 85

Kalemlik
Çukurallı Mah. Özdere / İzmir
Tel: (232) 369 64 85

Provincial Cultural Directorate

Halil Rıfat Paşa Cad.
No:3 Kat:3
Konak / İzmir
Tel: (232) 482 06 95
Fax: (232) 441 13 98

Orchestras and Choirs

İzmir State Symphony Orchestra
Director: Kenan Gökkaya
Address: Fuariçi Kültür Park Alanı İsmet İnönü Sanat Merkezi - İzmir
Tel: (0 232) 484 83 43
Fax: (0 232) 484 51 72

İzmir State Classical Turkish Music Choir Directorate
Address: Anafartalar Cad. Kat: 2-3
Kapalıçarşı, Konak - İzmir
Choir Tel: (0 232) 483 09 60

State Art and Sculpture Museum Directorate
MithatPasha Cad. 94
KONAK/İZMİR
Tel: (0 232) 441 13 97
Fax: (0 232) 441 13 98

Museums

İzmir Museum
Address: Halil Rıfat Cad. No: 4
Konak - İzmir
Tel: (232) 484 83 24
Fax: (232) 425 46 77

Atatürk Museum
Address: Atatürk Cad. No: 24
Alsancak - İzmir
Tel: (232) 421 70 26

Bergama Museum
Address: Cumhuriyet Cad.
Bergama - İzmir
Tel: (232) 633 10 96
Fax: (232) 631 07 77

Çeşme Museum
Address: Kale Sok. No:1 Çeşme - İzmir
Tel: (232) 712 66 09

Efes Museum -
Address: Kuşadası Cad. Selçuk - İzmir
Tel: (232) 892 60 10
Fax: (232) 892 70 02

Ödemiş Museum -
Address: Ödemiş - İzmir
Tel: (232) 545 11 84

Tire Museum
Address: Samizade Meydanı Tire - İzmir
Tel: (232) 512 18 60
Fax: (232) 512 18 62

Historical Sites and Ruins

İzmir Archeology Museum

Larissa - Menemen
Kolophon
Kyme -Aliağa
Teos - Seferihisar
Panaztepe - Menemen
Agora - Konak - İzmir
Klazomenai - Urla
Gryneion - Menemen
Foça
Metropolis
Myrina
Lebedos

Çeşme Museum
Erythari - Çeşme / Ildırı Village

Efes Museum
Efes Ruins - Selçuk
St. Jean Monument- Selçuk
Artemision - Selçuk
Belevi Grave Monument - Selçuk
Notion Ruins - Selçuk
Kolophon - Menderes
Claros - Menderes

Bergama Museum
Acropolis - Bergama
Asclepion - Bergama
Bazilika - Bergama
Maltepe Tumulus - Bergama
Yığma Tepe Tumulus - Bergama
Tavşan Tepe Tumulus- Bergama
X Tepe Tumulus - Bergama
Perperane - Kozak
Teuthrania - Kalarga - Bergama
Pindasos - Madradağı - Bergama
Kanai - Dikili
Aterneus - Dikili
Arginussu - Acan Adası - Dikili
Harmakopalia - Bergama - Bölcek Village
Aigai - Nemrut Kale - Zeytin Dağı
Teutarania - Zeytindağ - Bergama
Elaia - Kazıkbağları - Bergama
Gryneion - Yenişakran
Pitane - Çandarlı
Myrina - Aliağa
Partheieion - Çaltıkoru - Bergama

Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in İzmir

Sites
Archaeological Sites: 253
Urban Sites: 26
Natural Sites: 155
Historical Sites: 28
Other Sites
Archaeological and Natural Sites: 18
Historical and Natural Sites: 1
Archaeological and Urban Sites: 7
Historical and Urban Sites: 4
Natural and Urban Sites: 1
Total: 493
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural Heritages: 4395
TOTAL: 4888

Significant Days

Local Days of Celebration:

Arrival of Great Leader Attatürk at Bergama
Bergama
Every year on 13 April

Commemoration Day for Atatürk's Mother Zübeyde Hanım
Karşıyaka
14 Ocak

The First Bullet Ceremony
Ödemiş
Last Sunday of May

Arrival of Atatürk at Seferihisar
Seferihisar

Museum Week
Tire
24-28 May

Sultan Nevruz Holiday
Tire
21 March

Hıdrellez Holiday
Tire
6 May

Grape Harvest Festivities
Urla
14 August

Cabotage Day
Karaburun
1 July

Freedom Days:

Freedom Day - Bergama
Bergama
Each year on 14 of September

 

Freedom Day - Beydağ
Beydağ
7 September

Freedom Day - Çeşme
Çeşme
16 September

Freedom Day - Çeşme Alaçatı
Çeşme-Alaçatı
15 September

Freedom Day - Dikili
Dikili
14 September

Freedom Day - Foça
Foça
11 September

Freedom Day - Kiraz
Kiraz
1 September

Freedom Day - İzmir
İzmir
9 September

Freedom Day - Karaburun
Karaburun
16 September

Freedom Day - Kınık
Kınık
13 September

Freedom Day - Menemen
Menemen
9 September

Freedom Day - Ödemiş
Ödemiş
3 September

Freedom Day - Seferihisar
Seferihisar
11 September

Freedom Day - Selçuk
Selçuk
8 September

Freedom Day - Tire
Tire
4 September

Freedom Day - Torbalı
Torbalı
7 September

Freedom Day - Urla
Urla
10-11-12 September

Expositions

International İzmir Exposition
İzmir
26 August-10 September

Ödemiş National Exposition
Ödemiş
3-13 September

Festivals:

International Watermelon Festival
Bayındır
July

International Music Festival
Çeşme
4-9 July

Culture and Art Festival
Dikili
Last week of July

Culture and Art Festival
Foça
2nd week of August

International İzmir Festival
İzmir (Center)
29 July-19 August

KemalPasha Cherry Festival
KemalPasha
3rd and 4th week of May

Menemen Freedom Festival
Menemen
7-8-9 September

Strawberry Festival
Menemen-Emiralem
5 May

Cherry Festival
Ödemiş-Bademli
Last week of May or first week of June

International Selçuk-Efes Culture, Art and Tourism Festival
Selçuk (Ephesus Antique Stadium)
16-17 Ocak

Culture and Art Festival
Tire
3-6 September

Festivities:

Bahar Festivity
Kınık
6 May

Torbalı Autumn Activities
Torbalı

Press and Humor 7-8-9 September
Environment and Humor 6-7-8 September
Life and Humor 5-6-7 September
Politics and Humor 3-4-5 September