izmir travel guide
izmir has approximately two million inhabitants to Istanbul Ankara and the third largest city of Turkey. Izmir has an important port and is home to many railway lines, highways and an international airport, the traffic centre of the Turkish Aegean. In recent decades, around Izmir many industrial establishments located.
Previously, the city the name of Smyrna. Smyrna was founded about 1000 years BC by a strain of the Greeks. In the old legends says that Homer was born here. After several centuries of Smyrna, however, was destroyed. For the reconstruction continued Alexander the Great. Since Smyrna flourished and became a major trading city. It belonged until then to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. The Greek-Turkish war from 1920 to 1922 the Greeks occupied the city, and later the Turks conquered but Izmir back.
Although many historic buildings by earthquakes and fires have been destroyed, there are still some places in Izmir. On the hill above the town is Kadifekale, an ancient castle. From up there you have a beautiful view of Izmir, the bay of Izmir and the sea. Below the hilltop is the agora, the marketplace and thus the ancient center of Izmir.
Geschichtsinteressierten visitors is the Archaeological Museum of Izmir recommended. There is archaeological finds from the famous excavation sites in Turkey. Very interesting is a stroll through the bazaar of Izmir: In contrast to the usual market places in the tourist centres in the bazaar to buy mostly locals. As a result, the bazaar is a very Oriental flair and you will find not only the usual “tourist kitsch”.
Who after a stroll through Izmir for rest and relaxation will find this in the cultural park. In the midst of greenery, there are many restaurants, cafes, tea rooms and even a small zoo.
In the district of Alsancak wonderful day you can buy, because there are many good shops and boutiques. On the evening open in Alsancak many clubs, bars and nightclubs. Alsancak represent the modern life in Turkey, next to the cultural remains of the Orient. This contrast makes sehenswertem Izmir to a destination.
