Hellenistic period
In 334 BC. e. Alexander the Great landed in Asia and soon occupied Smyrna. A city called New Smyrna was moved from the peninsula, where only a small number of inhabitants could fit, to the southwest, to the slopes of Mount Pagos (ancient Greek Πάγος, now Kadifekale[en]). After the death of Alexander, the city was taken over by one of the diadochi, Lysimachus, under whom (about 300 BC) a powerful fortress was built on Pagos, which was subsequently rebuilt and has survived to this day in a dilapidated state. From this time, and especially under the rule of the Kingdom of Pergamon, the city experienced a new rise; Among other things, a theater and stadium were built in Smyrna.
Beaches
Since Izmir has a large seaport, the water at the resort is not very clean. Few people dare to swim off the city's shores. Therefore, tourists and local residents prefer to relax on the beaches of nearby towns.
Beaches of Cesme
80 kilometers from Smyrna is the city of Cheshme, which is famous for its clean beaches and mineral springs. The most expensive and luxurious hotels are located here, as well as a very well developed infrastructure. Near Cesme there is a clean beach with a gentle entrance and very warm water - Ilica. It will be especially good for spending time with children.
Kusadasi
A little further away there is another popular resort destination - the city of Kusadasi. There is also a port here, but the beaches here are clean with white soft sand.
Notes
- Herodotus.
History, I, 150-151. - Donald M. Nicol.
The Last Centuries of Byzantium, 1261-1453. - Cambridge University Press, 1993. - 500 p. — ISBN 9780521439916. - Smyrna // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg, 1890-1907.
- ISBN 960-05-0518-7
- Revelation 1:11
- Myrrh // Biblical Encyclopedia of Archimandrite Nikephoros. - M., 1891-1892.
- Ref. XXX, 23, Pes. Song IV, 6, Matt. II, 11, John. XIX, 39, etc.
- State Tretyakov Gallery. Fine series.
Turkish conquest
The Turkish conquest of Smyrna took place in several stages: in 1317, the Turkish horde of Mehmed Bey occupied the upper fortress of Kadifekale. By this time, Byzantium was no longer able to resist them, having given up the remnants of its coastal possessions in Ionia (Phocaea and Smyrna) to various groups of Latins. But Mehmed's heir, Umur Bey, soon broke their resistance and occupied lower Smyrna along with the harbor in 1329. Like Chaka Bey, Umur used the city as a base for his fleet, which mainly engaged in robbery and raids[2].
In 1344, Smyrna was captured by the Knights of St. John. In 1402, the fortress was stormed by Tamerlane, putting an end to Christian power in Anatolia.
However, despite Turkish rule, until the 20th century, Greeks made up the majority of the population, in 1890-1922. - about 60. At the same time, the share of Muslims among the city’s residents was about 20%[3].
Where to stay
In Izmir, there will be no problems with housing, which is presented here for every taste and in different price categories. Prices range from 70 – 100 liras in a hostel to 400 – 700 liras in a five-star hotel.
The following hotels are considered some of the best, according to traveler reviews:
- Hilton Garden Inn Izmir Bayrakli 3*;
- Key Hotel 4*;
- DoubleTree by Hilton 4*;
- Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir 5*;
- Renaissance Izmir Hotel 5*.
Renaissance Izmir Hotel
The following options are suitable for a budget holiday:
- Piano Hotel;
- In House Hostel;
- Lotus Garden Hostel.
Lotus Garden Hostel
When looking for housing on your own, you should keep in mind that most streets in Izmir are indicated only by numbers.
Active recreation and entertainment
For those who are tired of looking at ancient ruins, the city has a large park. This is a huge area for a variety of types of recreation with family, company and even alone. It is always crowded here, especially from the end of August to the end of September. At this time, the traditional annual International Trade Fair is held.
Animals at the Izmir Zoo
A trip to the Izmir Zoo will be interesting for tourists with children. Its area is quite large - 425 thousand square meters. This is worth taking into account, since it will not be easy to walk around the entire territory. The park is home to about 1,500 wild animal species and 120 domesticated species. Instead of cages, natural barriers are used, which allows you to see the life of animals in their natural environment.
Zoo map
The opening hours of the Izmir Zoo are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ticket price: about $1 per adult, children under 6 years old are free.
Night life
Izmir is a large modern city, so you can have an interesting time here at night. According to reviews from tourists and local residents, the most popular vacation spots in the evening are as follows:
- Doy Doy Pub;
- beach cafe Dante Cafe & Bar;
- beach cafe, night club Mambo Beach Club;
- Sirena Pub.
Cuisine and restaurants of Izmir
As in many seaside resorts in Izmir, the cuisine is based on fish and seafood. In the city you can try famous Turkish dishes - kebab, kofta, shawarma, dolma, meza and others. But those who prefer other foods should not worry. The abundance of restaurants with cuisine from all over the world will not leave anyone hungry.
Dolma
Along the embankment there are the most expensive restaurants and cafes. For budget tourists, Izmir has plenty of street food with delicious snacks. Basically these are all kinds of buns: simits, lokmas, boyoz.
Simites
The preferred gourmet restaurants are:
- Deniz Restaurant;
- Kordon Yengec Restaurant;
- Bogazici Restaurant Uckuyular;
- Aquarium Restaurant.
Among the more budget-friendly options for establishments, guests recommend the following:
- Gozlemecim;
- Cagdas Bufe;
- Doyuran Manisa Kebap Salonu;
- Kardesler Bufe.
Byzantine period
With the fall of Ancient Rome, Smyrna fell into decline. In the early Byzantine era it was still a major religious and economic center, but it decreased in size and never again reached its previous level of prosperity.
The remnants of the slave system are combined here with feudalism. The beginning of the weakening of Byzantine influence here was marked at the end of the 11th century, when, after the Battle of Manzikert, the Seljuk Turks broke into Asia Minor and, inflicting one defeat after another on the Byzantines, captured many cities. In 1084 it was Smyrna's turn. Under the leadership of Chak Bey, the Turks captured the city. Phocea and many Aegean islands were also captured by the Turks. Chaka Bey used Izmir as a base for naval raids against the Byzantine Empire. After his death in 1102, the city and the neighboring region were returned to the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine rule in the city lasted for more than a century. But in 1204, after the capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders and the fall of Byzantium, the city was captured by the Johannite Knights, who then owned Rhodes, and a few years later the Nicaean Empire captured the city. But this came at a very high price for the empire: all the trade of the city was captured by the allied Genoese, and they also owned one of the city’s castles. In 1222, the Nicaean Greeks made a final attempt to rebuild the city, but most of it remained in ruins until 1330. The winter capital of the Nicaean Empire was nearby Nymphaeum (now Kemalpasa), located some distance from the sea, and therefore more protected from pirates. In 1317-1329, Turks, Genoese and crusaders fought for the city and its fortresses. The Turks of the Aydin beylik, advancing from the continent, won the victory. In 1402, the city was captured by Tamerlane.
The siege of the coastal castle of Smyrna by the army of Tamerlane in 1402. Illustration for Zafarnama Yazdi, Kemal ad-Din Behzad, 1467
Shopping
Izmir is a delicious place for shopping lovers. Here you will find shops for inveterate bargainers, and well-equipped shopping centers for buying at fixed prices. In this city you can buy yourself everything your heart desires. Most often, leather goods, textiles, wine and, of course, Turkish delight are brought from Smyrna.
Turkish delight
To immerse yourself in the culture of Turkish trade, you should go to one of the largest markets in Turkey, Kemeralti. It is considered the most popular in the world. You can buy everything here - from clothes to carpets. And, of course, you can and should bargain here.
For lovers of shopping centers and boutiques, the following are suitable:
- MaviBahce Shopping Center;
- Optimum Outlet ve Eglence Merkezi;
- Agora Alisveris Merkezi;
- Selway Outlet Park.
MaviBahce Shopping Center
Ancient monuments, Ottoman-style architecture and unsurpassed Turkish culture - that’s why you should visit Ancient Smyrna. This place will enchant even the most avid traveler, because there are few places where you can see a combination of a large modern city and ancient monuments dating back several thousand years BC. Treat yourself to a trip to the shores of the Aegean Sea near the charming and mysterious Izmir.
Pre-Antique era
Until recently, it was believed that the oldest settlements on the territory of Smyrna date back to 3000 BC. BC, however, in 2004, archaeologists from Izmir University discovered Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlements in the Yeşilova Höyük area, dating back to the era between 6500 and 4000 BC. e. In the 3rd millennium BC. e. a settlement arose at the foot of Mount Yamanlar, the so-called Old Smyrna. At that time, the area was a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus (the modern Bayrakli region, northwest of the later city). By 1500 BC. e. the region came under the influence of the Hittite kingdom. Hittite documents mention the names of several places near Izmir. After the invasions around 1200 BC. e., which destroyed in particular Troy VII and the Hittite kingdom, Smyrna fell into decay.
