The city of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast of Turkey is known as a cruise ship port and beach resort.
The history of Kusadasi began long before in the II century. BC NS. the ancient Romans came to Asia Minor. Back in the XI century. before the onset of a new era on the coast of the Aegean Sea, the ancient Greek tribes founded their settlements, and then the Ionians. Ephesus was undoubtedly the main trade center of that era, but Kusadasi also played a significant role in local shipping. The city flourished after the decline of Ephesus in the late antiquity and early Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 15th century. the Ottomans came here and the Muslim era began in the history of the city. Each period has left its still visible mark, and the resort has something to see.
In Kusadasi and the surrounding area, fans of the history of the ancient world will be interested in ancient ruins, and those who have come to enjoy the modernity - water parks, shopping centers, entertainment venues and restaurants with the best Mediterranean cuisine.
TOP 10 attractions of Kusadasi
Kusadasi embankment
Seaside resorts differ from ordinary cities in that they have an embankment - a pedestrian zone where you can take walks at sunset, show off a fresh tan, make acquaintances and admire the surroundings. On the waterfront in Kusadasi, you can watch cruise ships docking in the port and their passengers disembarking to await a meeting with local attractions.
Historical buildings, restored and renovated with great love, are located along the embankment, which stretches for two and a half kilometers. There are cafes and restaurants in them, where tables are never empty. At one end of the promenade is the Setur Marina yacht marina, where you will find not only cafes and boutiques, but also tennis courts and a swimming pool. The Scala Nuova shopping mall adjoins the cruise ship pier. There you can buy souvenirs or gifts for friends, drink coffee, dine and entertain the younger generation in game halls with attractions.
Pigeon island
An excursion to Pigeon Island is a great alternative to a lazy day at the beach. During the walk, you will not only look at Kusadasi from the sea, but also get acquainted with the ancient history of the city and its surroundings.
A fortress was built on the island of Guverdzhin in the Middle Ages, which was tasked with defending the approaches to the city from the water. Once the fort could not resist, and it was captured by pirates under the leadership of the formidable Barbarossa. Since then, the fortress on Pigeon Island has been nicknamed the pirate castle. For many years, sea robbers kept stolen treasures in the fortress and held captives.
Today in the fortress there is a small museum of local lore and a restaurant with national Turkish cuisine. From the pier of Kusadasi, schooners, stylized as pirates, ply, on which you can take a fascinating sea trip. And the island was named Golubin because of the huge number of birds that once inhabited this piece of land. Now only the name remains of the bird colonies.
Okuz Mehmed Pasha Mosque
In 1618, two remarkable buildings appeared in Kusadasi, with which the great vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha, an outstanding military and statesman of the Ottoman Empire, marked his reign. At the time of his governorship in Western Anatolia, a mosque was erected in Kusadasi, which can be seen today in the city market.
The mosque was built in full accordance with the traditions of Muslim architecture. The octagonal base of the building is covered with a dome, the only minaret with a balcony for the muezzin rises a couple of tens of meters, and the entrance to the prayer hall is decorated with glass doors with mother-of-pearl inlays.
Caravanserai Okuz Mehmed Pasha
The second attraction of Kusadasi, built by order of the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, welcomes guests today as a luxury hotel next to the city pier. But in 1618 it was a caravanserai built to promote and develop trade with neighboring countries, which the Turks began to actively pursue. The seaport of Kusadasi was gradually turning into an economic center on the Aegean Sea, and a new "hotel" for the arriving merchants was needed.
The caravanserai was a classic example of an institution where you could spend the night, relax, and at the same time feel relatively safe. The perimeter of the fortress-building had the shape of a rectangle, measuring 18, 5x21, 5 m. It was possible to get into the closed courtyard with a fountain only through the premises of the caravanserai - no through passage was provided from the outside. The outer walls of the structure were crowned with battlements, behind which the guards defending the caravanserai could hide. All these precautions made the old hotel a safe place for those carrying valuable cargo and for wealthy pilgrims.
In the 90s of the last century, the Okuz Mehmed Pasha caravanserai was restored and a hotel was opened there. Club Caravanserail is popular with wealthy travelers, and everyone can buy a ticket to a folklore show that takes place in the hotel courtyard in the evenings. The program includes belly dancing, national-style snacks and other Turkish entertainment.
Poseidon fountain
Despite the relative youth of this attraction in Kusadasi, it is very similar to an ancient building. The Poseidon Fountain appeared at the resort in 2014, but its construction used ancient Greek fragments of statues found during excavations in the neighboring city of Ephesus.
The pool of the fountain is decorated with a sculptural composition in which ancient Greek gods participate. The main character of the fountain is the god Poseidon, who was one of the three supreme celestials among the Greeks. The bowl of the fountain is surrounded by sculptural images of other inhabitants of ancient Olympus:
- Zeus, who was in charge of the whole world and was the god of thunder, lightning and sky. According to the Greeks, Zeus was the father of all people on Earth.
- Nereus, a just old man who personified the calm depth of the sea and guaranteed safe sailing for those who went to sea.
- The ocean is a deity symbolizing the world river that gives rise to all sources. Homer called the Ocean the beginning of all that exists.
- Proteus, who was the son of Poseidon and possessed the gift of predicting fate.
Poseidon stands on a carved marble pedestal and rests on a trident. The base of the pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs with floral ornaments and angels. Jets of water pour down from the mouths of divine characters.
Adaland Water Park
The largest water park in the country and one of the largest in the world is built 5 km north of the resort. On its territory you will find a couple of indoor slides, downhill slopes, the names of which - "Racer" and "Kamikaze" - speak for themselves, several swimming pools for children and adults, a jacuzzi area, a river for rafting and a safari park.
Many large and small pools, canals connecting them, bridges thrown over rivers and streams, turrets and fairy-tale castles make the atmosphere of the water park ideal for families with children of all ages. In the park there are splash pools for the little ones, jumps for those who are older and bolder, slides on which you can develop a very significant speed, and places for lazy relaxation if you are not a supporter of extreme sports.
You can spend the whole day in the water park, since there are cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and vending machines selling soft drinks on its territory.
It is allowed to use changing rooms, showers, sun loungers and umbrellas, parking and all attractions, except rafting, free of charge on the territory of the water park.
The park is open: in May-September from 10 am to 6 pm.
Admission price: children from 4 to 9 years old - 17 euros, from 10 years old and older - 24 euros.
Dolphinarium
A dolphinarium was opened next to the largest water park in the country, where visitors can watch daily shows with the participation of tailed artists - dolphins, seals and sea lions. Comfortable stands are located on one side of the pool, and on the opposite side there is a stage where the trainer is during the performance. All participants in the performance work with great desire and inspiration, and therefore the shows are very popular among tourists.
Marine Park "Adaland"
In the entertainment zone "Adaland" in Kusadasi there is a marine park where everyone can swim with dolphins, feed and even pet the rays, use special protective equipment to dive to the bottom of the pool with sharks, see crocodiles and learn all about their habits, habits and conditions a habitat.
In the marine park, special costumes are rented for safe communication with its inhabitants. By renting a mask and fins, you can look at the underwater inhabitants of the Aegean Sea in Kusadasi.
Dilek Park and Zeus Cave
Dilek National Park, 18 km south of the resort, is a great place where you can take a break from the Turkish heat and spend time surrounded by virgin nature and miraculous attractions. The most famous of the list is Zeus's Cave. The entrance to it is hidden in the bushes, but you will find it thanks to the olive tree of desires, on the branches of which it is customary to tie ribbons.
Legend has it that Zeus spent time with young girls in the cave, which is easy to believe after seeing a beautiful natural lake with mineral water.
The easiest way to get to the cave of Zeus is from the village of Guzelchamli, where local dolmushi will willingly take you.
Trajan's fountain
At the beginning of the 2nd century AD, a fountain dedicated to the Roman emperor Trajan was built in Ephesus near Kusadasi. Like all similar buildings dating back to the era of the Roman Empire, the fountain looked majestic and monumental, as evidenced by even the preserved ruins.
The height of the two-tiered structure of Trajan's fountain was 12 m. The pediment was made of marble and decorated with a sculpture of the emperor. Alas, only fragments of it have survived to this day - part of the torso and leg, and some of the fountain's decorations - bas-reliefs with floral ornaments, capitals of the columns supporting the portico, and carved friezes.
