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Arriving in Izmir is a powerful spectacle in itself. As we descended alongside the freeway into town, a sprawling city panorama unfold out within the gulf under us, with Izmir stretching out alongside its banks. However the true spotlight are the Izmir sights.
Izmir suggestions and sights
Trendy Izmir is one in every of Turkey’s main financial and cultural facilities. For a lot of, Izmir stays an unknown metropolis, regardless that everybody is aware of Istanbul. But Izmir, Turkey’s third largest metropolis, has a lot to supply. Above all, it has a really eventful historical past.
However in order to not soar the gun, I wish to provide you with a short overview of this metropolis that spreads out so impressively alongside the Gulf of Izmir.
Welcome to Smyrna
Smyrna? By no means heard of it? Or possibly a obscure reminiscence from historical past class? Fairly merely, Smyrna is the previous identify of town. Right this moment, you’ll most likely solely not often come throughout it in Izmir. This has to do with town’s historical past, which was a very multicultural metropolis since antiquity and particularly through the occasions of the Ottoman Empire – that’s between 1800 and 1900 – and which benefited from the flourishing commerce relations of its inhabitants. Together with the Turks, many Greeks but in addition an rising variety of Armenians and Europeans had been residing there for a very long time. They have been busy buying and selling with supplies from the East and delivery them throughout Europe. However the politicians of the Ottoman Empire put rising stress on the Greeks particularly and plenty of of them have been compelled to depart.
After the First World Conflict, when town was reconquered by Greeks, a big a part of the Muslim inhabitants turned victims of the atrocities dedicated by the Greek occupiers. The hatred towards the Greeks that’s stirred up in Turkey right now is usually related to this episode. And that’s the reason right now you rarely come throughout the identify Smyrna in Izmir.
On high of that, when the Turks recaptured town in 1922, an enormous hearth broke out within the Greek and Armenian quarters of town, which in spite of everything made up nearly half of Smyrna’s inhabitants.
The destruction of enormous elements of the historic metropolis has left a long-lasting imprint. Trendy Izmir is a metropolis of principally new buildings. An enormous cultural park and an exhibition middle have been constructed on the websites of the burnt districts. Solely the previous city within the Muslim quarter, with its small alleys and bazaars, has been preserved and restored over time.
However sufficient about historical past! Now I’d like to indicate you a number of nice issues you may uncover in a day in Izmir.
1. The Kordon Promenade
The Kordon Promenade is a superb place to get a primary impression of the massive metropolis. From right here the ferries cross the Gulf of Izmir, that is the place younger and previous meet to drink espresso or sit collectively in one of many many parks alongside the promenade. It’s a beautiful place to take in town’s waterfront environment. One in every of my favourite issues was to calm down with a espresso in one of many cafés and watch the hustle and bustle of the ferry dock.
It’s additionally an excellent location from which you’ll attain different locations within the metropolis. Both by ferry to different elements of town or on foot to locations just like the Tradition Park or Kemeralti Bazaar (see under).
2. Saat Kulesi
The Clock Tower (or Saat Kulesi in Turkish) on Konak Sq. is one in every of Izmir’s landmarks and dates again to 1901. You’ll be able to see it on many postcards and footage of Izmir and it was as soon as featured on the five hundred lira banknotes. The Ottoman structure of the tower is the work of the Levantine-French architect Raymond Charles Péré, however the clock itself was a present from Kaiser Wilhelm II to mark the tower’s building, the twenty fifth anniversary of Sultan Abdülhamid II’s accession to the throne.
The tower was broken twice by robust earthquakes and was fully renovated in 2019. The image of the clock tower surrounded by numerous pigeons is an compulsory image for each customer.
3. Kemeralti Basar
One in every of my favourite locations in Izmir is certainly the bazaar within the Konak district. You’ll love wandering by the maze of small alleyways and all of the completely different retailers. There’s one thing to find in all places and likelihood is you’ll get your fingers on a pleasant memento or two.
Rumor has it that there are 15,000 retailers right here (a quantity that’s tough to confirm), together with many cafés and Turkish eating places that invite you to remain some time. You can too discover marble fountains and mosques right here. Additionally properly value a go to is the previous caravanserai Kizlaragasi Han within the coronary heart of the district. In brief, it is a place the place you may rapidly spend a complete afternoon with out noticing how rapidly time has handed.
4. Turkish espresso
In addition to the compulsory Çay, the black tea that Turks like to drink at any time of the day or evening and at any event, there’s in fact additionally the unmistakable Turkish espresso. You received’t be provided this at each flip, however it’s a lot nicer to take a seat down in one of many small cafes and revel in it there in all consolation.
A number of issues will also be stated about espresso consuming itself. Do you know, for example, that espresso was as soon as banned within the Ottoman Empire due to its popularity as a troublemaker? The Ottoman state believed that espresso incited individuals to political discussions and thus to potential unrest. Because of this espresso homes and consuming it have been banned for a very long time.
Turkish espresso is both drunk sweetened or unsweetened and normally within the following order: first a sip of chilly water, then a sip of espresso after which one thing candy afterwards should you like.
5. Historic Elevator (Asansör)
One other thrilling landmark in Izmir is the elevate within the Karataş district. Because the district is virtually separated into two elements by a cliff, the Jewish service provider Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu donated this elevate to the residents of Izmir in 1907. He wished it to make it simpler for residents to maneuver between the decrease and higher elements of the district and likewise to move items. From the highest, there’s a implausible view of the district and the Bay of Izmir.
6. Tradition Park (Kültür Park)
As I discussed earlier, a big a part of the previous city fell sufferer to an enormous hearth in 1922. Afterwards, it was changed into Kültür Park, which is Izmir’s inexperienced lung right now. Right here you may chill out after an thrilling day within the bustling metropolis. Take a stroll or cycle alongside the various paths, playgrounds, a lake with pedal boats and even a small amusement park for kids.
7. A visit with the ferry
One other spotlight of the day’s programme is a passage on the ferry. Personally, I discover this essentially the most stress-free a part of the sightseeing tour. You’ll be able to merely benefit from the view on the water and town on its shores and chill out.
For the crossing, identical to for all different public transport (apart from the minibusses), you want an Izmir card, which you should buy at any terminal from machines or counters.
As you may see, there are lots of stunning issues to do in Izmir in a day. Despite the fact that town is often flooded with guests in summer season, you may journey to Izmir all 12 months spherical. That’s as a result of the Mediterranean local weather ensures loads of sunshine and gentle temperatures even in winter.
Not solely does town itself provide many locations value seeing, but in addition its environment. For instance, from Izmir you may take a day journey to Ephesus or go to one of many many seashores within the space. You can too guide a tour to the limestone terraces of Pamukkale. That’s what makes Izmir such an excellent vacation spot.
Have you ever been to Izmir? What different Izmir sights have you learnt? Write us a remark under with extra recommendations on Izmir.
Photographs: Picture 1 (Izmir Promenade): Seda Yalova/shutterstock.com – Picture 6 (Asansör): Yavuz68/shutterstock.com
