ABOUT IZMIR

Izmir, historically also Smyrna, is a city in western Turkey and the seat of Izmir Province. It is Turkey‘s third most populous city and the country‘s second largest port city after Istanbul. It is located along the outlying waters of the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea.

Izmir is an attractive cosmopolitan city with lots of history and interesting places to visit both inside and outside the city boundaries. This makes Izmir an ideal hub where you can spend a few days and use as a staging post to explore the region from alternatively you may wish simply to discover the City of Izmir and what it has to offer, below are just a few places of interest within the city where you may like to spend a little of your time whilst visiting.

 

 

 

 

Cumhuriyet Meydani - Republic Square
Housing Pietro Canonica‘s famous monument of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk sitting astride his charger pointing out to sea Cumhuriyet Meydan is generally accepted as being the heart of Izmir. This is where Izmir holds all its official military, memorial and national parades, sometimes political protest rallies or sporting celebrations are also held here. The square is surrounded on three sides by gardens and palm trees with a central paved area providing a perfect photo opportunity for your holiday snaps.


Pasaport
The district of Pasaport can be found between Alsancak and Konak districts. Originally this was a "bonded" area where merchants, customs halls and other commercial activities took place. The harbor area is now mainly used by small commercial craft, there is also a ferry port and some Turkish Navel vessels can often be seen moored by the Konak Pier. The waterfront quarters a host of Bars, Cafes and Tea houses where the locals relax with their water pipes and play backgammon well into the night.


Konak
This area is the "original" center of Izmir, it is the shopping center and home to the Town Hall (Belediye) Main Police Station and until recently the main law courts. Konak is also the transport hub of the city, the point where Bus, Ferry and Metro all meet. As you enter the district from Pasaport, you will find Konak Pier and customs buildings. Konak Pier is a steel lattice construction built in 1854 and believed to be designed by the famous Gustav Eifel or one of his protégés. The structure remained a customs building for many years however today the building has been fully restored to it‘s former glory and is used as a shopping and entertainment center with lots of boutique shops, Bars, coffee shops and even a Cinema inside.


Konak Meydani - Konak Square
The center piece of the square is Izmir‘s famous Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) which is the "Official" symbol for the city. Built in 1901 by Grand Vizier Kucuk Said Pasa to celebrate the silver jubilee of the coronation of Sultan Abdulhamit II, the tower is ornately decorated in traditional Ottoman style and another photo opportunity not to be missed. Also located in Konak Square is an attractive little Mosque with ceramic mosaic walls and a single minaret.



Kemeralti
Kemeralti is Izmir‘s - Turkey - historic market (bazaar) district. It was originally formed around the street surrounding the shallow inner bay of the city, which was filled in due course during the 17th century, availing the bazaar to be extended to a wider area. The street, that traces a wide curve and called today as Anafartalar Street (Caddesi), and known historically as the Street of the Mevlevis, in reference to the presence of a "dergah" situated by the street, constitutes the principal axis of Kemeralti. The district covers a vast area extending from the level of the Agora of Smyrna (the quarters of Namazgah, Mezarlikbasi and Ikicesmelik), to the seashore along the Konak Square. It remains one of the liveliest parts of Izmir.The first step that paved the way for the emergence of the present-day Kemeralti area was the building in 1592 of Hisar Mosque.It is the oldest and one of the most significant Ottoman landmarks in Izmir, although built by Aydinoglu Yakup Bey, a descendant of the dynasty that had founded the Beylik of the same name (Aydinoglu) which had controlled Izmir prior to the Ottoman conquest. The name of the mosque, which means "fortress", makes reference to the Genoese castle of "San Pietro", previously called Neon Kastron in Byzantine times, part of which used to stand on the same location and which gradually disappeared in whole with the construction of new buildings on its spot. The final remains of the castle were cleared up during the construction of new port installations between 1867-1876.

Asansor - The Lift
Located in Mithatpasa, the "Asansor" was erected in 1907 by local businessman Nesim Levi to provide easy access for residents of the villas on the top of the hill. Unfortunately this 50 meter brick tower fell into disrepair and was for many years out of service until 1992 when the structure was fully renovated and brought back into service. Today the asansor is mainly used to provide access to the Asansor Restaurant and Cafe where diners can relax enjoy both good food and a spectacular view of the city.