Like all Turkish cities, scenic Izmir boasts a rich history and offers an interesting range of things to explore. It began as the ancient Greek city of Smyrna until the Lydians conquered it around the 6th century BC. However, their rule didn't last long; the Persian emperor successfully crushed the capital of the Lydian Empire and wiped Smyrna from the map in the process. But the city was never forgotten. In the 3rd century BC, Alexander the Great decided to rebuild the city in a different location, and Smyrna lived through some relatively calm years before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. All of this history has led to an extraordinary mix of cultures and traditions, making Izmir one of the most interesting Turkish cities to visit.
You can start your Izmir itinerary by exploring the impressive city center and the Izmir Agora, located right in the heart of it. This small part of history transports you 2,000 years back to the times of the mighty Roman Empire when this place was a Roman-Greek market, filled with life and noise. The archway leading to the lower levels is still in very good shape, and the same freshwater that burst out of the market's fountains all those years ago still runs through a moat on the floor.
The amazing Hierapolis-Pamukkale is also among the sights in the area, popular for day trips from Izmir. The ancient city's most famous feature is the natural sky-blue hot springs, flowing down the hillside. Shaped by calcite-laden waters, the landscape there is surreal, full of mineral forests and fossilized waterfalls. In the 2nd century BC, the king of Pergamon ordered this magical place to be turned into the thermal spa of Hierapolis, so after exploring all the sarcophagi and the ruins of ancient baths, take some time to bathe in the same mineral pools the Romans used centuries ago.
During your Izmir tour, you can't miss one of the most popular stops on the Silk Road in Turkey, Ephesus (meaning "desirable"). The city was built in the 10th century BC, and more than 300,000 people lived there during its peak. Even more people came from all over the world for the Ephesus market. It was an incredible place, offering exotic spices, fresh fruit and vegetables from around the globe, and world-famous clothing from Turkish craftsmen. Today, Ephesus still draws millions of people from all over the world, eager to explore the rich history of the city.
Actually, it was the Temple of Artemis (built in 550 BC) that brought fame to Ephesus. The temple was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but now all that remains is a single pillar. Ephesus was also known as the city of the Seven Sleepers.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_33_57.png)
