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Arriving in Izmir is a powerful spectacle in itself. As we descended alongside the freeway into the town, a sprawling city panorama unfold out within the gulf beneath 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 all Turkey’s main financial and cultural facilities. For a lot of, Izmir stays an unknown metropolis, although 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 quick 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 perhaps a obscure reminiscence from historical past class? Fairly merely, Smyrna is the previous title of the town. Right now, you’ll most likely solely not often come throughout it in Izmir. This has to do with the town’s historical past, which was a very multicultural metropolis since antiquity and particularly in the course of the instances 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 dwelling there for a very long time. They had been busy buying and selling with supplies from the East and transport them throughout Europe. However the politicians of the Ottoman Empire put rising stress on the Greeks particularly and plenty of of them had been compelled to depart.
After the First World Battle, when the town was reconquered by Greeks, a big a part of the Muslim inhabitants grew to become victims of the atrocities dedicated by the Greek occupiers. The hatred in opposition to the Greeks that’s stirred up in Turkey in the present day is commonly related to this episode. And that’s the reason in the present day you infrequently come throughout the title Smyrna in Izmir.
On prime of that, when the Turks recaptured the town in 1922, an enormous fireplace broke out within the Greek and Armenian quarters of the town, which in any case made up nearly half of Smyrna’s inhabitants.
The destruction of huge elements of the historic metropolis has left a long-lasting imprint. Trendy Izmir is a metropolis of largely 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 point out you a number of nice issues you may uncover in a day in Izmir.
1. The Kordon Promenade
The Kordon Promenade is a good 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 the town’s waterfront ambiance. One in every of my favourite issues was to cool 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 be able to attain different locations within the metropolis. Both by ferry to different elements of the town or on foot to locations just like the Tradition Park or Kemeralti Bazaar (see beneath).
2. Saat Kulesi
The Clock Tower (or Saat Kulesi in Turkish) on Konak Sq. is one in all 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 development, the twenty fifth anniversary of Sultan Abdülhamid II’s accession to the throne.
The tower was broken twice by sturdy earthquakes and was utterly 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 unquestionably the bazaar within the Konak district. You’ll love wandering by the maze of small alleyways and all of the totally different outlets. There’s one thing to find in every single place and likelihood is you’ll get your arms on a pleasant memento or two.
Rumor has it that there are 15,000 outlets right here (a quantity that’s troublesome to confirm), together with many cafés and Turkish eating places that invite you to remain some time. You may also discover marble fountains and mosques right here. Additionally nicely value a go to is the previous caravanserai Kizlaragasi Han within the coronary heart of the district. Briefly, it is a place the place you may shortly spend a complete afternoon with out noticing how shortly time has handed.
4. Turkish espresso
Apart from 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 gained’t be provided this at each flip, but it surely’s a lot nicer to take a seat down in one of many small cafes and luxuriate in it there in all consolation.
A couple of issues may also be mentioned about espresso consuming itself. Do you know, for example, that espresso was as soon as banned within the Ottoman Empire due to its status as a troublemaker? The Ottoman state believed that espresso incited folks to political discussions and thus to potential unrest. That is why espresso homes and consuming it had been banned for a very long time.
Turkish espresso is both drunk sweetened or unsweetened and often within the following order: first a sip of chilly water, then a sip of espresso after which one thing candy afterwards in the event you like.
5. Historic Elevator (Asansör)
One other thrilling landmark in Izmir is the raise within the Karataş district. For the reason that district is virtually separated into two elements by a cliff, the Jewish service provider Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu donated this raise to the residents of Izmir in 1907. He needed 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 unbelievable 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 a giant fireplace in 1922. Afterwards, it was was Kültür Park, which is Izmir’s inexperienced lung in the present day. Right here you may calm down 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 probably the most enjoyable a part of the sightseeing tour. You’ll be able to merely benefit from the view on the water and the town on its shores and calm down.
For the crossing, similar to for all different public transport (aside from the minibusses), you want an Izmir card, which you should purchase at any terminal from machines or counters.
As you may see, there are various stunning issues to do in Izmir in a day. Regardless that the town is usually flooded with guests in summer time, you may journey to Izmir all 12 months spherical. That’s as a result of the Mediterranean local weather ensures loads of sunshine and delicate temperatures even in winter.
Not solely does the town itself supply 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 may also 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 beneath with extra tips on Izmir.
Pictures: Picture 1 (Izmir Promenade): Seda Yalova/shutterstock.com – Picture 6 (Asansör): Yavuz68/shutterstock.com