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.

Immediately upon the death of Alexander, his quondam empire was broken up into individual kingdoms by his successors. One of these was the kingdom of Seleucus. Tralles and its vicinity became an important part of this kingdom in western Anatolia and, as its administrative center, the city began to be called Seleucei. In order to ensure the security of trade routes, King Antiochos I established the city of Antiochia, named after himself, at the eastern extremity of the Maeander valley.
As one consequence of the attempts of the Romans to spread their influence into Anatolia, the Seleucids were expelled from the Maeander valley under the treaty of Apamea in 188 B.C. and the region came under the control of the Kingdom of Pergamon, Rome’s ally.
Among the Hellenistic kingdoms in Anatolia, Pergamon was the most advanced in science, art, and civil engineering. After the death of KingEumenes II, he was succeeded by Attalos Ml who, though not entirely of sound mind, bequeathed his kingdom to Rome in his will after his death in 133 B.C. Aristonicus, the son of Eumenes II, rejected the validity of the bequest and assumed the throne himself. Despite his resistance to Rome however, he was taken prisoner three years later and put to death. In 129 B.C., the Pergamene kingdom — and with it, its territory in the Maeander valley — became the Roman province of Asia.
The kings of Pergamon were avid builders of public works and thus Tralles (Aydin) and its vicinity were developed substantially. Such famous works as the temple to Apollo in Didyma (Didim), the temple to Athena in Priene, and the temple to were all built during this period.