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Izmir: Port Info
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Capital of a province, with nearly three million inhabitants, Smirne (Izmir in Turkish) is Turkey's second city, after Istanbul, thanks to its busy port and to the intense industrial activity which, from traditional fields tied to agriculture, has expanded to include shipbuilding, mechanical and chemical plants for oil refinery.
Located within a beautiful bay, surrounded by lovely hills, the town has changed in the course of recent years, into a modern metropolis with an established urbanistic structure and new residencial areas.
Archaeological diggings have indicated that Izmir was probably first inhabited in the third millennium BC. In the 10th century BC farmers from the island of Lesbos took up residence in Izmir. Occupied by the Ioni toward the end of the 9th century BC, Izmir experienced a long spell of economical and cultural development, followed by domination from many local dictators, until conquered by Alessandro Magno (334 BC).
Starting in 27B.C., following Roman rule, Izmir experienced a new period of prosperity, in the course of which was enriched by sumptuous monuments of which, however, few traces remain. Destroyed by a violent earthquake in 178 it was then rebuilt under the command of Marco Aurelio. After becoming an important Bishop Seat during Costantino era, Izmir began a slow decline due to Arabic incursions.
Sieged by the Turks, the town was conquered (1076) and subsequently utilised as base for naval attacks in the Aegean Sea. Later it became a feud of the Knights of Rhodes. It was annexed to the Ottoman Empire by Mohamed 1st Celebi, notwithstanding efforts from part of the Venetian fleet which attempted to reoccupy it on several occasions.
Izmir has preserved its prosperity, mainly thanks to the commercial activity of its port which has been an important stop along the routes between East and West. In the large square, dominated by the modern clock tower in Arabian style, a present for the German Kaiser, William the 2nd, you can see the City Hall, the Konak Camii, little mosque decorated with glazed tiles and surrounded by a large garden and the City Cultural Centre. In the centre of the city, on the west side of the train station (Basmane Gari), you find the large green area of the Kultur Park, with a Luna Park, a Zoo, a small lake and pavilions where, every year, starting from the second half of August to September, the International Izmir Fair takes place, it is perhaps the most important commercial fair in the Mediterranean.
You should visit the Archaeological Museum inaugurated in 1983 containing finds from Ephesus, Belevi, Myrina and Eritre. The old building next to the Archaeological Museum is the Ethnographic Museum displaying interesting art collections and traditional handicrafts: ceramics, copper tools, embroidery, traditional costumes, shawls and decorated fabrics, carpets, arms and armours.
The last stop for the shopping fans is the animated and colourful bazaar with stalls selling every kind of local goods. |
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