Smyrna and Izmir - brutal turns of history.
The Turkish province of Izmir is the reacted name of its strictly Greek name - Smyrna. Until 1922, the Christian and Jewish population prevailed here in the region. There was no Turkish majority and in the city itself. Turks called him "Gijar Smirna". The city was absolutely cosmopolitan and secular. The company worked 36 printing houses, 30 casinos, 57 hotels, one and a half hundred schools, there were many pharmacies, hospitals, beer, 15 newspapers and magazines went out.
In 1915, it was Smirna who became the place of the Armenian Genocide. Of the 2.1 million in the Ottoman Empire, it was waveled on the Acecs of Neemetsky diplomats at least 1.5 million, but all the greeks and the Greeks and Jews and Bulgarians. In 1919, the city was taken by the Greeks and the civilian population died again, the truth is not in such terrifying scales (1 thousand years). And 1922, when the Turks returned, the city was again a massacre (25 thousand dead) and then the Armenian and Christian part of the city simply set on fire. The remains of the non-Muslim population about 200 thousand from Smyrna deported. But it's all in the past. In 2013, the money of private investors was renovated and transferred to the Catholic Church Cathedral of St. John. There are 7 Christian churches here.
Beaches.
Resting in the heart itself is definitely not worth it. But not far from Izmir, but not in the city itself, there are excellent beaches. These are three plots: kuşadası, çeşme and alaçatı. The first is located near the port of yachts and cruise ships. The second on the eponymous Peninsula, here many Turks live all summer, running out of the city. And the third is considered ideal for surfing, there is pretty windy.
Modern Izmir: Industry and face of modern Turkey.
Today, Turkish Izmir is a rapidly developing city with a 3.5 million population. It is considered the most modern and least religious city. By the way, more than 90% of the population lives in the cities in Turkey. The rates of fertility are high and therefore a lot of young people. In Turkey, school education is transferred for 13 years, there is a minimum wage of approximately 3.5 euros, and if the pace of development is not interrupted by the religious government, the country will be released in the first few of the most developed countries of the East. Compared to neighboring Greece, Izmir leaves a much better impression of the country and the hardworking of its inhabitants! Getting to Izmir is the easiest all airlines. In addition to state, there are many budget private airlines in Turkey, airlows fly here. But the city itself is huge and densely selected.
Modern Quarters, Villa Quarters, Industrial District and Port, Multi-Building Quarters and Historic Center - In general, this is a huge megapolis. In Izmir, an exhibition complex has an exhibition complex, a huge cargo port, there is an industry and a huge brewery EFES. There are 6 universities, among which the famous Aegean University. The city is a good metro and subway system. With the entire country, Izmir is connected by the system of roads. This is important, as the basis of archaeological attractions are outside the city and there is better to buy tours. An alternative can be a car rental.
What to see in the heart itself.
However, in Izmir, there is a tourist where to pass time. The city's degree is the ruins of the Greek Market Square of Agora, and near the central square of Konak Maidani Archaeological Museum with archaeological finds from Ephesus and Pergama. There are active Muslim temples, for example Khizar. First of all, this is the eastern bazaar Kemeraltı, on which tourists love to buy golden baubles. Famous Turkish baths are also worthy of visiting in Izmir.
The main attraction of Izmir is a city in different angles.
Important entertainment in the city is a view of the city itself. In the city itself there is still a tower with a public elevator ASANSÖR. At the beginning of the century, it was posted for charity, one Jewish banker to alleviate the rise from one street to another. Near the university there is a TELEFERIK cable. Look at the city well and with the elevation of Belkahve. Excellent Turkish cuisine is waiting for tourists near the alpine lake Shpertal. But look at the city and the bay even better to walk in the ancient fortress as Cadical. About the fortress already told on the portal and it makes no sense to repeat. Sometimes tourists are having to look at the places of salvech çamaltı or on the lake Karagol on Mount Yamanlar.
Turkish leather products.
It is impossible not to say about leather products, as the trips to the factories are no less popular than religious and archaeological attractions. This is ordered by sewing from Turkish skin many world brands. However, the quality of sewing and skin is conditionally about seven different categories and you need to understand very well in the skin, even if you buy products right in the factory.
Ancient Greece - the ruins of cities and the perfectly preserved Ephesus.
Tourists ride in the surroundings of Izmir not only for the sake of the city itself, Turkish skin, inexpensive gold in the bazaar or food. The fact is that here the concentration of antiquity monuments and Christian shrines. Of the seven churches of the apocalypse, there are two, 75 km to Ephesus and 105 to Pergam. The altar and many other Germans were taken to Berlin and the museum on the island of museums and is called Pergamon. And Friedrich the second gave the Turks clock, they still installed on the central square of the city. So from 2 possible excursions Ephesus will be more interesting. There are still ruins of the Ionian city. Clauses near the town of Urli, Ionian Fawkey, the ruins of the Tesos, the ruins where Orakl Appolna Clall lived, just 20 km the famous rock reliefs, the ruins of the Eyes Skoring the Tower (Tempel) of Artemis.
Christian shrines near the Zhurzok.
There are two General Gathered Catholic Sensions House of the Virgin Mary and the grave of St. John on the site of which in Ephesus is the basilica of Justinian. Her remains are inside the Turkish fortress.
Despite the fact that both the ruins of Ephesus, the Tower of Artemis, the grave of John and the house of the Virgin Mary are located around the exercise, everything is increasing enough without a car or excursion and if you choose one, then it's more interesting to finitely. Ephesus. But all these objects are certainly worthy of a separate conversation.
The surroundings of Izmir
