The ancient Ionia is considered one of the cradles of modern Western civilization. At the beautiful and incomparable scenic coast are small resorts as well as very important excavation sites. Among others were the remnants of the major Homeric Troy found. The various ruins of this once-important town Pergamon, which today bears the name of Bergama, lie south of Troy. Especially worth seeing here are the Athena and the Temple of Trajan. It is also interesting to Zeusaltar, a theater, a gymnasium, an acropolis, the Asklepion, a museum and an ancient basilica made of red bricks.

The beautiful port city of Izmir is the 3rd largest city of Turkey. This very modern city lies in a bay. It is surrounded by hills rising. In this city was once the famous Greek fortress Smyrna. Some earthquakes as well as a large fire, the settlement almost completely destroyed. As a witness of time left, for example, are on the mountain Pagos lying old citadel, from the 4th Century. You can also here the wonderful view over the city. You can see the Gulf of Izmir and a Roman Agora. The pillars of the Agora are very well preserved geblieben.Auch the statues are worth to be visited.

The place Çesme has excellent beaches, a fortress dieaus the 15th Century, as well as hot springs. They are only one of the many reasons to find his getaway. The beautiful port city Sigacik, the ancient ruins of the Ionian city Teos as well as the beaches of Akkum lie between the towns of Izmir and Çesme. The ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus lies at the foot of Mount Pion. Another attraction are the Grand Theater as well as the Celsus Library. They are now restored, you can also Serapis temple, the facade of Hadrian’s Temple, the beautiful port street, the Agora, an old gymnasium and a stadium visit. Meryemana is probably the House of the Virgin Mary. It is located in the vicinity of Ephesus. One finds it in a very small valley on the mountain Bulbul Dagi. The beautiful ruins of Priene, Didyma and Miletus (formerly Oracle important sites) are also very interesting. They lie just near the resort of Kusadasi. He has really excellent sandy beaches to offer. This site also offers a starting point for many excursions to the surrounding environment.

Going further into the Southwest as one encounters on the coastal town of Bodrum. Here lies the birthplace of the historian Herodotus. Bodrum is the foundation of a tomb of King Mausolos. The imposing mausoleum, was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. St. Peter’s Castle dominates the skyline of Bodrum today. It dates from the 15th Century and is very well known. Take a look here for an interesting trip to the Greek island of Kos. In the promotion, visit the beautiful city of Marmaris. He is surrounded by pine forests. Nearby is the small fishing village of Datca. This village should you have visited. Further south lies Fethiye. The famous resort is situated in a bay. Even the rocks of the Lycian tombs, you should visit. Nearby is Öludeniz, a lagoon with crystal clear water. It is under protection.

Turkey is in a total of 7 regions. The regions are the Marmara, Aegean region, Black Sea region, Mediterranean region, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. Here you can find significant differences between the various regions identified. The division into 7 regions was predominantly based on similar climatic features. That is also the landscape as well as the land of the territories in the region are very similar. Each region is distinguished by its climate but also through their land. Also important are the location, the vegetation, fauna and the Erdbeschaffenheit. So it is crucial to whether the ground is rocky, or can be easily managed. 4 of 7 regions were under the seas bordering the Black Sea, Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara named. The remaining 3 regions were named after the location. Thrace is located west of the Bosphorus on the European side. Here is the river Meriç a natural border with Greece.

In the east of the Bosporus to find the Marmara region. The Marmara Sea separates Europe from Asia and the Aegean Sea from the Black Sea. In the Mediterranean, you will find the Dardanelles. They lie on a length of 60 km. Lies directly on the Bosporus Ä°stanbul. Here is the landscape of forests and hilly or at least covered by bushes. The very fertile arable soil in the east in a steppe landscape. The millions of Bursa is a spa and very famous for its sulfur and hot springs. In the Aegean region is heavily agricultural land use. The very hilly landscape stretches from the west coast between Çanakkale to Bodrum. This region on the coast is one of the best-developed regions of Turkey. Here not only cypress trees and vines but also the landscape. You’ll also find many ancient buildings. For example, Troy, Assos, Pergamon, Ephesus, Priene, Miletus, and Didyma Euromos.

The Black Sea region is the northern coastal area of Turkey. This region is a mild and humid climate characterized. The landscape is very mountainous and heavily forested. Here thrive tea, tobacco, corn and hazelnuts. Zentralanatolischen in the region of Tuz Gölü salt lake and a large mountain chain. It soars in some places over 3,900 meters into the sky. Cappadocia is situated further east. The tourists visit like this place because of his tuff. Here you can find many Wohnhölen rock and a church. Inneranatolien is overwhelmingly dominated by steppe landscape. The region is very dry. In the area around Tuz Gölü is the desert-like landscape. The agricultural use in this region of the country is not as strong as in the rest in the area around Tuz Gölü is the desert-like landscape. Particularly wheat, barley and fruit are grown here. He is very hot and dry summers and cold winters.

The Mediterranean region in the north of Taurus and in the east of Amanosgebirge framed. Here are most of citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, peanuts and especially cotton. Southeastern is considered the oldest cultural region of Turkey. The Taurus Mountains characterizes this landscape. Here are the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Here, wheat, barley, grapes, olives and pistachios grown. For agricultural cultivation will be along the Euphrates and the Tigris more than 22 dams built.

Thermal and therapeutic springs
Ciban (Yavansu Venus) Kaphcasi: 4 kilometers southeast of Kusadasi. The waters are good for skin disorders.
31 icmeleri: 300 meters south of the Tusan Hotel.
Güzel Camli Kaplıcasi: Located at Güzel Qamli beach, south of Kusadasi.
Kemer Kaplicasi: 4 kilometers south of Kusadasi. The waters are good for stomach and intestinal disorders.
Dilek Peninsula National Park
This extensive park is a veritable paradise of natural beauty that one may visit on the Aegean coast and it contains an interesting collection of flora as well as coves and beaches, and picnic spots. It is an ideal place for walking tours, recreation, and water sports. The park is located 28 miles from KuÅŸadasi and may be reached by highway or by sea.

Beaches
Kadinlar Denizli Plaji: 3 kilometers from Kusadasi
Güvercin Ada Plaji: A brief walk
Yilanci Burnu Plaji: Located at Yilanci Burnu behind Club 33 on the far side of Kesedagi. One may walk there from town.
Yavansu Plaji: A natural beach located 6 kilometers from Soke.
Karaova Plaji: 6 kilometers from Kusadasi.
Güzel Camli (Zeus) Plaji: Located in the national park, 23 kilometers from Kusadasi.
Küçük and Büyük Kalamaki Plaji: Located in the national park, 30 kilometers from Kusadasi.
Odun iskelesi Plaji; A natural beach located beyond the Kalamaki beaches. Access is by sea.
Dipburnu Plaji; Shallow along the shore. Access is by sea
Nero Plaji: Deep along the shore. Access is by sea.

Kuşadası

Located 71 kilometers from the Aydin provincial capital, the county of Kusadasi includes the eastern and southeastern coastal plain of the Kusadasi gulf as well as the low plateau immediately inland of it. The county is enclosed by mountains to the east and south.
The driving force of the county’s economy is tourism and the businesses and services associated with such enterprises, though agriculture is still an important activity.
The county seat borders on Selguk and Pamucak to the north and terminates in the Dilek peninsula on the south. Because Ku§adasi is so conveniently located for access to such important touristic areas as izmir, Efes, Meryem Ana, Selguk, Milet, Didim, Pamukkale, Marmaris, and Bodrum, it is unquestionably the most important tourism center in western Anatolia. Owing also to its proximity to the Greek island of Samos, it also serves as crossing-point for tourists passing between Turkey and Greece.
The abundant availability of means of transportation has been one of the most important factors contributing to the county’s development. Highways provide convenient connections to Menderes International Airport (Izmir) and work is underway on a project for a local airport serving Kusadasi. Ku§adasi also contains two main harbors, one of them being a yacht basin offering full international-class services.

Within the town and in its immediate vicinity there are a large number of beaches, hotels, motels, camping grounds, holiday villages, and other places of entertainment and for this reason, life here during the summer months is quite active and varied.
While there are a number of different theses concerning when and by whom the town was originally founded, its location between the ancient Ionian settlement of Pygela nearby to the north and Panionium to the south in the town of Davutlar as well as the substantial development here both indicate that Kusadasi must be quite an old settlement.
Kusadasi came under Ottoman control in 1413 and a number of public improvements were made by Oküz Mehmet Pasha. Under successive Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman control, Kusadasi fulfilled a number of important duties as a port and military base. It became part of the province of Aydin in 1954.
Panionium
The Panionium was a temple built by the twelve cities of Ionia located in what is now the town of Davutlar. The lonians gathered here to hold the festival called the Panionia and also to deliberate and come to decisions on matters affecting them all.
Neapolis
Neapolis is located on Yilanci Burnu quite near Kusadasi. It is believed to be the oldest Ionian settlement in the area.
Küçük Ada Kalesi
Located on Guvercin island in the bay, this fort is a rather old structure. In the 19th century, it was used by the Ottomans as on advanced outpost against possible attacks from the islands during the Morean rebellion. When the island’s pier was built, the island was connected to the mainland by means of a breakwater and a road.

Okuz Mehmet Pasha Kervansarayi
Located near the Kusadasi pier, this caravanserai was also built in 1618 by Okuz Mehmet Pasha. The structure is surrounded by high crenellated walls like a fortress and has two stories and an interior courtyard. It is used as a hotel nowadays.

Kaleiçi Camii
Located within the Kusadasi shopping area, this mosque was built in 1618 by Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha. The doors on the entrance are decorated with interlocking geometric patterns and are inlaid with mother of pearl.
Kaleiçi Hamami
Another addition to Kusadasi’s architecture by Okuz Mehmet Pasha, the hammam was built at the same time as the caravanserai and fortress.

Thermal and therapeutic springs

Aydın Kaplicasi: These thermal springs are located east of the city and are a favorite picnic spot.

imamkoy Kaplicasi: Another thermal spring, this one is located in the village of imamkoy, east of Aydın.

Guzellik Suyu: This river is located east of Aydın.
A particularly popular place to visit in summer is Pasa Yaylasi, a high plateau whose pines and ancient plane trees, ice-cold streams, cool air, and quiet surroundings make it an ideal outdoor recreation and picnic spot.

The ancient city of Tralles (known as Tiral today) may be seen atop a hill from the Aydın-Denizli highway. It is located in the district of Topyatagi, a kilometer north of Aydin city.
As related by the ancient geographer Strabo of Amaseia, Tralles was founded by Argive and Thracian tribes. Although it is an extremely ancient settlement, very little proper archaeological research or excavation has been conducted concerning Tralles and for that reason, our knowledge of the city is quite limited. The first historical mention of the city is a reference made to it during the war of independence undertaken in the 5th century B.C. against the Persians by the Spartan general, Thibron. In 334 B.C. Alexander the Great delivered the city from Persian rule. Tralles changed hands frequently among the Hellenistic kingdoms: the Seleucidswere in control of it in 313 B.C. and after the Magnesian wars, it passed to the Kingdom of Pergamon in 260 B.C.
In 129 B.C., Tralles became part of Roman province of Asia. When King Mithridates Eupator of Pontus rebelled against the Romans, the city remained under Pontine rule for four years beginning in 88 B.C. In 84 B.C. Tralles was returned to Rome. In 26 B.C. it suffered serious damage in an earthquake and as it was rebuilt with the assistance of Emperor Augustus, the city was renamed Caesarea.
Under Byzantine rule, Tralles was an episcopal see. The Turks took control of it in the 12th century.
Strabo tells us that the city was a rich and prosperous place in Roman times. Today however very little remains standing of the city that once stood on a plateau surrounded by a protecting wall. The structure known locally as Og Goz (”Three Arches”) is actually three vaults — all that remains of the gymnasium. The remains of the cavea of the ancient theater lie to the north. Because a large part of the ancient city today lies within a military zone, archaeological excavations and research cannot be carried out.
On display at the Aydin Museum are a variety of archaeologica works from the ancient city of Tralles.
One of the two architects responsible for the buildings of Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) in istanbul was Anthemius of Tralles. (The other was Isador of Miletos.)
The “Young Athlete” in the istanbul Archaeological Museum and the “Farneese Bull”, both masterpieces of late Hellenistic sculpture are two world-famous works by sculptors from Tralles.

Aydin is the chief county and administrative center of the fourteen counties of the province. Famous as a region of succulent figs and swashbuckling heroes, Aydin is situated in the middle of the Menderes basin where the southern slopes of the Aydin mountains meet the plain.
Because Aydin is centrally located in geographical terms and also because it is situated on both highway and railway routes over which the economic resources of the region are conveyed to the port of Izmir, the city has become an important population center.
While Aydin ranks fourth in terms of Turkey’s agricultural output the industrially advanced provinces surrounding it (izmir being foremost among them), have had a restrictive effect on Aydin’s industrial development.
With the rise of tourism in the Aegean coastal areas of the counties of Kusadasi and Soke not many years ago, investment activity shifted from the provincial center down to the sea. Blessed as it is with numerous ancient sites and a rich folklore set amidst the seven shades of green, such activities as the “Green Journey” and “Highland Tourism” begun recently in the ancient city of Aphrodesias and its vicinity in Karacasu, Aydin’s easternmost county, have the potential of spreading to every part of the province.
Though we lack definite information about its original founding, the city known as Tralles in ancient times was a prosperous and well-fortified settlement. The city was taken by Mentese Bey from the Byzantines around the end of the 13th century and it later came under the rule of the Aydinogullan principality. After 1308, the town was mown as Aydin Guzelhisar (”Beautiful Castle of Aydin”) and was ruled as = principality for about a century. In the early 15th century it came under Oticman rule and remained so as a province of the empire for five centuries.
With the Ottoman Empire’s defeat in World War I, Aydin was occupied twice by the Greek army in 1919 and suffered considerable destruction by fire. Under the republic, the city was rebuilt in keeping with modern concepts of urban planning and as a result, the provincial capital is today a contemporary western Anatolian city with modern buildings and boulevards.
In addition to the ruins of ancient Tralles, Aydin also contains numerous examples of Turkish architecture — principally djamis (mosques), but also hammams (public baths), khans (roadside inns), medresses (theological academies), and masjids (small mosques). Aydin also possesses a fine museum, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for shopping and observing local ways of life and folklore.

The Byzantine period: the capital of the world moves from Rome to Constantinople

With the division of the Roman Empire into two in 395, the eastern half, which was to become the Byzantine Empire, assumed control of all of Anatolia. The great empire that the armies of Rome had forged by the force of their swords was turned over to the Byzantines together with all its institutions (except of course for the pagan religion). Constantinople (istanbul) became the new capital of the world.
The Byzantine Empire adopted Christianity as a state religion and thus rejected the pagan culture and art of classical Rome. This was and important development and led to radical changes not only in social attitudes and living but also in architecture as well. While the public-oriented structures of the ancient cities were preserved, the white marble temples were converted to churches, sometimes with the addition of brick-walled annexes. As a consequence of Iconoclasm (a movement that opposed the veneration of religious images), the making of statues was prohibited and existing ones were destroyed.
Turkish migration into Anatolia began to intensify beginning in the 10th century. Their steady advance pushed Byzantine power back from east to west By the 13th century, all of Anatolia but for the Aegean littoral was in Turkish hands.

The Persian Empire: Hordes of Asians descend upon the warm valleys of the Aegean from the Iranian highlands

Although Lydia’s hegemony extended as far east as the Halys river (Kizilirmak), prideful King Croesus was unable to resist the expansionism or the mercenary armies of the Persians who were becoming ever more powerful in the Iranian plateau. Surging down to the warm and fertile Aegean coast from their high and cold plateau, the Persians wiped out the golden kingdom of King Croesus of Lydia.
Thus the Ionian found themselves confronted byatotaly unexpected and enormous threat and while they sought to resist, King Cyrus’s general, Mazares, invaded the valley of the Maeander and subjugated the cities of Priene, Magnesia, Tralles, and Nysa.
The Ionian Revolt instigated by the Milesians in 500 B.C. proved to be quite bloody. The Persians were merciless in suppressing the rebellion. Miletos was razed and its inhabitants were either deported to Mesopotamia or else enslaved. Their Apollo temple was burned and its sacred objects and treasures were carried off to Persia. It was now the turn of the Persians to enjoy the abundance of western Anatolia. Over the famous “Royal Road”, which began in Sardis and extended as far as Susa in Persia, an enormous share of the resources of Anatolia and of the Aegean, Black Sea, and Mediterranean regions was carried back to the imperial palaces in Persepolis.
Persian hegemony over the Maeander river basin lasted about 213 years. The Persians divided Anatolia into administrative regions (called satrapies). They ensured the establishment of political order and ruled their empire through governors (satraps) who were vested with royal powers.