The ancient Greek city of Smyrna, located in ancient times on the territory of modern Izmir, has left many traces of its existence. Although the history of Izmir began long before the ancient Greeks. Archaeologists believe that the first settlement in these places appeared 3000 before the onset of a new era. During its existence, the city managed to see the Aeolians and Ionians, surrender to the Roman legionaries and the Seljuks armed to the teeth. Smyrna was taken by the Byzantines and Knights-Johannites, it was ruled by the Nicene Empire and the Genoese.
Traces of the past in the city and its surroundings are at every step, and therefore the question of what to see in Izmir usually does not arise among tourists. Local travel agencies will kindly help the traveler with a choice of excursions, organizing trips to the ancient ruins in neighboring Ephesus.
TOP 10 attractions in Izmir
Asanser
Asanser
One of the most popular attractions in Izmir recently celebrated its own centenary. The elevator tower was built in 1907 so that residents could easily climb from the seashore to the city block located on a high hill.
Funds for the construction of Asanser were allocated by the banker and philanthropist Nesim Levi Bayrakoglu. Previously, people had to climb 155 stairs to climb the mountain.
In the 30s of the last century, the Asanseur tower also housed a photo studio and a small cinema, and after restoration work in 1990, a restaurant was opened on its top, and a café-terrace on the balcony.
Lovers of details should pay attention to the cast-iron fence of the balcony, decorated with traditional ornaments and wrought-iron motifs.
Konak Square
Konak Square
The bustling eastern square of Konak can safely claim to be the most visited attraction in Izmir: not a single tourist walking around the city will pass it. The name of the square was given by the governor's mansion, but not only this building attracts the attention of Izmir guests. In Konak Square you will see:
- Yala Mosque, built in the middle of the 18th century. Its architectural feature is that the main building is connected to the minaret tower, although the principle of the octagonal structure, traditional for Muslim buildings, is observed.
- The clock tower that appeared in Izmir at the very beginning of the 20th century. The reason for its creation was the 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II's rule on the throne.
- University cultural center with an opera hall and a museum of modern art.
- Main city bus station.
The square is adjacent to the pier, from where boats depart for cruises along the coast of Izmir. Old-timers claim that the steel structure of the pier is the work of the famous engineer Eiffel.
Clock tower
The project of the Clock Tower, which adorns Konak Square and is called the symbol of Izmir, belongs to the architect Raymond Charles Pere. The graceful construction appeared in the city in 1901. The height of the tower is 25 m - according to the number of years that Sultan Abdulhamid II had been on the throne.
Izmir Clock Tower can be called a classic example of the Ottoman style in architecture. Each side of the structure is decorated with stone carvings. The tower is surrounded by four fountains with gazebos decorated with Moorish elements - carved arches, columns and domes. The entire structure is reinforced with metal reinforcement, but, despite this, it gives the impression of being light and graceful.
The clock for the Izmir tower was donated by the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
Such towers, called "sahat kula", were typical of the cities that were part of the Ottoman Empire.
Agora of Smyrna
Smyrna
The ancient city of Smyrna, founded at the end of the 2nd millennium BC. NS. the Aeolians, who fled from the Dorians from mainland Greece, left a lot of evidence of their existence. Archaeologists excavating in the Izmir region confidently state that Smyrna was one of the oldest and most significant cities on the peninsula of Asia Minor.
In the Namazga quarter, the ancient ruins of the agora of Smyrna have been preserved, which today have been turned into an open-air archaeological museum. During the excavations begun in the 20s. of the last century, scientists managed to raise to the surface many priceless rarities. The Agora of Smyrna has traditionally served as a place for citizens to meet, gather, discuss news and make important decisions.
Agora appeared in the 4th century. BC NS. and after a devastating earthquake it was rebuilt again under Marcus Aurelius.
The vaults of the northern basilica, the western gallery with three rows of columns, a large courtyard, and the ruins of a gate have survived to this day. The inscriptions on the bases of the arches of the basilica are among the oldest of their kind in the world.
The artifacts found during the excavation of the agora in Izmir are housed in the Archaeological Museum, where you can see many evidence of the ancient history of the city.
Archaeological Museum
Founded in 1924, the Izmir Archaeological Museum is one of the very first in Western Anatolia. The basis of its exposition is the artifacts found during archaeological excavations and unique historical evidence proving that people have lived in these parts for at least the last 8500 years.
The collection is housed in a three-story building, and each level houses several thematic exhibitions and displays. In the museum you can see:
- Stone products dating from the Hellenic and Romanesque periods.
- Pottery, the earliest examples of which date back to the Neolithic.
- Terracotta sarcophagi decorated with intricate geometric designs.
- Bronze statuettes by Hellenic sculptors.
The treasury of the museum displays coins and jewelry that have outlived their owners for several millennia. They are inlaid with precious stones, which make it possible to judge the skill of the ancient cutters.
Part of the collection is on display in the open air, and in the garden near the museum you will find magnificent examples of stone carvings from various historical periods.
Museum of History and Art
Museum of History and Art
Izmir's largest museum in terms of area is located in the city's central park. Its exposition is dedicated to the history of the city and the development of various types of art. Three buildings of the museum offer to get acquainted with different collections: ceramics, stone products and precious metals.
The earliest stone sculptures on display date from the 7th century. BC NS. They are marble steles from sanctuaries and sculptures. Statues of the Hellenic period represent expressive portraits of the inhabitants of Smyrna, and archaeologists consider the most valuable rarity of the Romanesque era to be a sculptural group depicting Artemis, Demeter and Poseidon.
The oldest pottery in the museum dates back to the prehistoric period. Byzantine ceramic masterpieces are also exhibited here. Jewelry is primitive, but this does not diminish their historical value. Numismatists will be interested in coins minted in Lydia, Ephesus and ancient Athens.
Toy Museum
If you are vacationing in Izmir with children, it will be interesting for them to look at the collection of the museum, invented and founded by the Turkish artist Yumran Baradan. For many years she collected toys for children and in 2005 donated her collection, along with the mansion, to the city.
The oldest exhibits at the Izmir Toy Museum are 200 years old. In the halls of the museum you will see old baby carriages, porcelain and ceramic dolls with natural hair, horses on a stick and swinging, dolls used in shadow theater productions, clockwork cars, teddy bears, toy houses and dishes and much more.
On the lawn in front of the museum, children can learn traditional Turkish games, and on Sundays, the staff introduce everyone to the techniques of controlling puppets.
Izmir Zoo
Izmir Zoo
Little tourists will undoubtedly also like a walk to the city zoo, where more than 1500 animals and birds live in modern enclosures, representing all the variety of species of local and not only fauna. The zoo occupies a fairly impressive area. The organization of its space and the conditions for keeping animals became the reason why the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognized the merits of Izmir in the field of animal protection. The city has become an example for others who want to design the zoo taking into account modern environmental standards.
In Izmir, you will meet the inhabitants of the African savannah and the water lagoon, where different species of birds live. Aviaries with parrots and ponds with crocodiles, terrariums and aquariums await visitors, and a special aviary with tame animals has been created for children who dream of stroking a rabbit or horse.
Kemeralti
The Oriental Bazaar of Kemeralti is a real paradise for souvenir lovers. Here you can find absolutely anything your heart desires - from spices to watches, from fruits to diamonds, from fresh fish to carpets. Ceramics and shoes, leather belts inlaid with mirrors, and dried fruits, natural fabrics and hand-carved wooden figurines - in Kemertali market you can buy the best gifts for friends, relatives and colleagues who stay at home.
Do not forget that bargaining in the Turkish bazaar is always appropriate, but its rules prescribe to be persistent but polite; confident but consistent; adamant, but also willing to compromise. Local merchants will willingly lower the price for someone who respects their rules.
Khizar Mosque
Khizar Mosque
On the territory of the Kemeralti bazaar, in addition to souvenirs and traditional oriental sweets, you will find several architectural attractions, including the oldest mosque in Izmir. It was built in 1592 and is called Khizar.
The name of the mosque means "fortress". The building was erected on the site of an old Genoese citadel. The Khizar Mosque is called the most beautiful in the city. The stone vaults of the prayer hall are decorated with murals in which gold and sky-blue hues prevail. The galleries are entwined with stone carvings, echoing floral and fruit motifs. The structure is crowned with a huge dome, on the sides of which there are several domes of a smaller diameter. In the courtyard you can see the fountain for ritual ablutions. The top of the round tower of the minaret is decorated with a carved balcony.
