İzmir Tour by Khalid

Turkey's Aegean shores are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods. Dotted with idyllic fishing harbours, popular holiday villages and the remains of ancient civilizations attesting to the inheritance of more than 5,000 years of history, culture and mythology, this region offers a holiday with something for everyone - nature lovers, sun worshippers, photographers, sports enthusiasts, sailors and archaeologists. Along the whole length of the coast, accommodation to suit every taste and price range can be found. Known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir", the city lies at 'the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat. The city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

Castles are defensive structures specifically built to withstand attack. Despite their differences though, they all have one feature in common, they are fortified. About the castles that have survived for thousands of years, we can say that they are the greatest witnesses of history. These castles built by civilizations living in Anatolia to protect themselves are visited today by history lovers. During the fourth century BC, a new city was built on the slopes of Mt Pagos (Kadifekale) during the reign of Alexander the Great. On Kadifekale, Mt. Pagos, stands the impressive ruins of a castle and its walls, built by Lysimachus in the reign of Alexander the Great, which still dominate Izmir today. The castle offers an excellent vantage point to enjoy the magnificent view over the Gulf of Izmir. Enjoy the breath-taking view of Izmir

The Agora, or marketplace, in the Namazgah Quarter, was originally constructed during the rule of Alexander the Great. What remains today, however, dates from the rebuilding under Marcus Aurelius after a devastating earthquake in 178 AD. But even more interesting are the vaulted chambers and cisterns in the cells of the two basilicas, which have been reconstructed in Corinth and Faustina, giving visitors a good idea of how this rectangular multi-story marketplace looked in its day. There are still underway archaeological investigations. Thanks to recent works, both Kadifekale and Agora are connected eachother as it used to be.

The Kemeralti Market, which is 400 years old, is the most ancient meeting and shopping centre of Izmir. Since the Hellenistic period, the bazaar has always been a major trade area.

The Hisar Mosque, one of five mosques that surround the old harbour and the Hisaronu Mosque, is one of Izmir 's largest mosques. The mosque is also one of Ottoman Architecture's most beautiful examples. The local people called Hisaronu mosque, but it is known as Molla Yakup Mosque in written documents. When you step into the mosque, you feel the spiritual atmosphere of the religious site. Yes, as always, shoes off.

İzmir Clock Tower is a historic clock tower located at the Konak Square in the Konak district of İzmir, Turkey. It is considered as the main landmark and the symbol of the city. The tower has four fountains on the base, in circular design decorated in an Ottoman architecture. The landmark is a gift from the Sultan Abdulhamid and built-in 1901.

Archeological Museum, near Konak Square, houses a superb collection antiquities including the statues of Poseidon and Demeter which, in ancient times, stood in the Agora. Most of the artefacts, which include busts, statues, statuettes, tools, and various eating and cooking utensils, come from the Bronze Age, or from the Greek and Roman periods.

Time to proceed to where the original city was established in the third millennium B.C. and at that time shared, with Troy, the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. By 1500 B.C. it had fallen under the influence of Central Anatolia's Hittite Empire. In the first millennium B.C. Izmir, then known as Smyrna, ranked as one of the most important cities of the Ionian Federation; during this period - one of the city's most brilliant - it is believed that Homer resided here. Lydian conquest of the city, around 600 B.C., brought this period to an end, and Izmir remained little more than a village throughout the Lydian and the subsequent 6th century B.C. Persian rule. In the fourth century B.C., a new city was built at the instigation of Alexander the Great on the slopes of Mt. Pagos (Kadifekale).