Izmir City Map

 

 

 

 

 

Pearl of Aegean

Ä°zmir is the third biggest city in Turkey with a population of around 2.5 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a good transport hub.

The history of Izmir stretches back to around 3000 BC when the Trojans founded the city in Tepekule in the northern suburb of Bayrakli.

How to get in

By Sea

There is a weekly ferry from Istanbul to Izmir, operating at weekends, and one or two weekly ferries between Izmir and Venice . All ferries dock at the Alsancak Ferry Terminal, 2km north of the city center.

By Air

Adnan Menderes Airport, 16km south of the city center, has several daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. There are also regular flights from many European cities. Airport buses go to and from the city center, and there are too many car rental agencies.

By Road

The bus station or otogar is 6km north east of town although there are plenty of dolmus that make the journey there from the centre. The bus station is huge and has an Internet cafe, plenty of facilities for food and drink and a large number of agencies selling tickets for coaches .

Places to See

• Konak Square, a 107 years old high clock-building with palm trees.
• Alsancak, small streets with lots of bars in old Greek houses, where you can have tea or a beer and try several waterpipe flavors.
• Kadifekale, old castle on the hill which it’s named after.
• Agora, remains of the Roman Empire

You should

• Walk around at Kordon. You can walk around beside the Aegaen Sea.
• Kemeralti: A big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit.

• Kizlaragasi Hani: An old kervansaray where you can shop for carpets and jewelry
• In the summer buy an icecream in winter drink a cup of hot wine.
• Get on the boat and take trip to Karşıyaka – Bostanlı.
• Watch sun set from Kordon
• Peoples are always smiling in Izmir in their daily life also do not suprise that.

Should be eaten

• Melons, because Izmir has a warm climate it is fresh to eat melons.
• Izmir has a famous restaurant that serves the region’s specialties, especially shish kebabs.
• Fish, grilled sea bass and mezes. Usually the fish is fresh and plenty in all seasons.
• Kumru, a warm sandwich, made with a special bread with sesame seeds, Turkish sausage, grilled cheese and tomatoes.
• Tulum Peyniri, a kind of cheese specially made in Izmir region.
• Copsis Kebab in any restaurant.

Some shopping center:

AGORA ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
You can find there mostly garments; restaurants and cafeterias
ADDRESS   : MithatpaÅŸa Caddesi No.1446
DISTRICT  : BALÇOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)2772525
  www.agoraizmir.com

CARREFOUR
Gross Market
ADDRESS   : 6524.Sokak No:6 Åžemikler Mahallesi MaviÅŸehir
DISTRICT  : KARÅžIYAKA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3982100
  www.carrefour.com.tr

FORUM BORNOVA ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž ve YAÅžAM MERKEZÄ°
Garment, Electronics Store and cafeterias
ADDRESS   : Kazım Dirik Mah. 372 Sok. No: 10
DISTRICT  : BORNOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3960038
  www.forumbornova.com

GÜVEN ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Garment, Glassware, Gift Articles
ADDRESS   : Önder Cad. 47/A
DISTRICT  : GAZÄ°EMÄ°R
TELEPHONE : 0(232)2511963
  www.guvenavm.com

KÄ°PA ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Gross Market
ADDRESS   : Yeni Havaalanı Cad. No:40
DISTRICT  : ÇÄ°ÄžLÄ°
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3988888
  www.kipa.com.tr

METRO
Gross Market
ADDRESS   : Atıfbey Mah. Akçay Cad. No. 282
DISTRICT  : GAZÄ°EMÄ°R
TELEPHONE : 0(232)2980100
  www.metro-tr.com

PARK BORNOVA OUTLET CENTER
Garment, Electronics Store and cafeterias
ADDRESS   : Osman Kibar Kavsagindan Ankara yönüne
DISTRICT  : BORNOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3737576
  www.parkbornova.com

KONAK PÄ°ER
Garment, Electronics Store and cafeterias, Cinemas
ADDRESS   : Atatürk Caddesi No:19
DISTRICT  : KONAK
TELEPHONE : 0(232)4891004
  www.konakpier.net

PALMÄ°YE ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Garment, and cafeterias also Cinemas
ADDRESS   : MithatpaÅŸa Cad. No:1458
DISTRICT  : BALÇOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)2791818
  www.palmiyeavm.com

PRATÄ°KER (in Carrefour gross market)
House - Office Equipment
ADDRESS   : Yalı Mah. GiriÅŸ 1 6522 Sokak P03
DISTRICT  : MAVÄ°ÅžEHÄ°R
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3245588
  www.praktiker.com.tr

KEMER PLAZA ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Garment mostly
ADDRESS   : Anafartalar C. 88 Kat 1/103
DISTRICT  : KONAK
TELEPHONE : 0(232)4413143

FIRAT ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
ADDRESS   : 1517 S. 30/A DoÄŸanlar
DISTRICT  : BORNOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)4783591

SELWAY OUTLET PARK
ADDRESS   : Ä°zmir Çevre Yolu
DISTRICT  : BALÇOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)2792110
  www.selwayoutletpark.com

EGE PARK MAVÄ°ÅžEHÄ°R MODA VE ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Garment, Electronics Store and cafeterias, Cinemas
ADDRESS   : 2040 SOK. 104
DISTRICT  : MAVÄ°ÅžEHÄ°R
TELEPHONE : 0(232)3244434
  www.egeparkavm.com.tr

PASSTEL (Orkide) ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
Garment, Electronics Store and cafeterias, Cinemas
ADDRESS   : Vali Kazım Dirik Cad. No:11
DISTRICT  : PASAPORT
TELEPHONE :

YKM
Just garment
ADDRESS   : SSK Sitesi E Blok No:9/B
DISTRICT  : KONAK
TELEPHONE : 0(232)4414951
  www.ykm.com.tr

IKEA ALIÅžVERÄ°Åž MERKEZÄ°
House and office furniture; equipment
ADDRESS   : Kazım Dirik Mahallesi 372.Sok. No:34
DISTRICT  : BORNOVA
TELEPHONE : 0(232)4980808
  www.ikea.com.tr

 Accomodation

In Izmir there are several hotels. Hilton is very close to city center in Alsancak, and Swissotel is going to open this year which is also located in Alsancak. Also there is Crowne Plaza, which is about 30 min. from center.

Faith Tours In Izmir 

 Isa Bey Mosque ( Izmir-Selcuk): The mosque, which is on the Ayasuluk hill, at west slope of the St. Jean Bassilica, is a Seljukian piece of art. It was constructed in 1375 by  Isa Bey.

Hisar Mosque (Izmir-Center): Built on the center of the Kemeralti-Hisarönü square in 1592. The mosque was the biggset mosque in Izmir.It is among the monumental mosques having one storeies.It was built by hewn stones. A huge one in the middle, it was encircled with many small domes.Interior sections of the mosque reflects the most precious styles of Ottoman art.

Birgi (Izmir-Odemis): It is 9km from Ödemis. Having the outstanding samples of Ottoman and Seljuk architecture, the city has been added to the list of World Heritage List. The structure includes Imam-i Birgivi Tomb and Medresseh, Darül Hadis Medresseh, Güdük Minare Mescit( small mosque), Ulu Mosque .

Izmir Church (Center): It is said that Izmir Church, which is the second one of the seven churches mentioned in Holy Bible, means "Followed" and "Be Faithful". The period, when Izmir Church was important, is II. and III. Centuries A. D. Ruins of this church are mentioned as at Çesmelik district, at the sameplace with St. Polikarp church by some archeologists and Christian religious writers.

Karatas Beth Israel Synagogue: The synagogue, which is on Mithat Pasa Boulvard, is witnessing marriage ceremonies with its last century particular Victoria style architecture.

House of Virgin Mary (Izmir- Selcuk): It is thought to be constructed during IV. Century A. D. Of this place, also named as "Panaya Kapulu" by Christians on 420 meters high Mount Bülbül which is 9 kilometers away from Selçuk. On the niche part, which remembers an oven, precious heart of Jesus Christ is represented. Such before the crucifixion, Jesus Christ entrusted his mother to his friend and disciples.As St. Jean thought that to stay in Jerusalem would be dangerous for Virgin Mary after the curicifixion of Jesus Christ, he took her here. Though these rumours are confused with legends, there are evidances proving that these have great deals to do with reality. Having undertaken a sacred mission as to spread Christianity, St. Jean chose Efes as the biggest city of the era, and secluded Virgiv Mary at a hut in a wood of trees very close together on the skirts Bülbül Mountain because he did not want Virgin Mary to live in a place where idol worshippers would annoyed her.

Every day St. Jean secretly visited her and took to her food. It has been considered that Virgin Mary lived and died there when she was 101years old. Then St. Jean buried Virgin Mary again at this secret place which was unknown to anyone except himself. After Christinaity became world wide, a church with "Cross" like layout was constructed of this sacred place of Virgin Mary.

This house is declared as the holy place of Christianity by Papacy in 1967. A ceremony is organized here during the first Sunday of following 15th of August, and people, who came here become hadji.

St. Jean Basilica (Izmir-Selcuk): Perched on Ayasuluk hill, it was constructed by Byzantium Emperor Justinien as a dedcation to St. Jean in VI A.D. In the middle of the basilica, under the dome and at the eastern side of the grave of St. Jean which is lower than the ground level, there are the places of the priests. These structures are separeted from the church with their half squares. At the northern section of the cemetery, monograms of the Emperor Justinien and his wife were perched on a restored pedestals of a church decorated with the frescos of the paintings of the saints.

Bergama Church (Izmir-Bergama): It is among one of the seven churches mentioned in the Holy Bible and the location of which is known and the basilica known as " Red Courtyard " by the people of the Pergamum carries the meanings of " Serapien " and " Where on earth or in heavens ". After the death of Jesus Christ, it had a crucial postion in between the years 313-500.

Demolition, Invigoration

Long History About Izmir

  Ancient Smyrna was founded on an island that takes place at the northeast of the bay. During the recent centuries, Bornova Plain had been formed with the silt that was brought by torrents of River Meles from Mount Yamanlar (Sipylos) and the peninsula finally transformed into a hill. A sample wine yard of Ä°zmir Wine and Beer Factory of TEKEL Management is located on this hill called s Tepekule.
  Although the first habitation of Ä°zmir known to be dated from long before 3000 B.C., excavations could only go back to 3000 B.C. In the light of the excavations, it is known that the first settlements were founded at the top of the hill at 3-5m high from sea level. This first settlement was dated from Ancient Bronze Age. Hittites were using the writing (in 1800-1200 B.C.) in Anatolia, which helped to reach the historic ages.
  However, in 1200s B.C., the tribes coming from Balkans demolished Troy VII and Hattusas, the capital of Hittites. With this, a Dark Age called Iron Age restarted in Middle and West Anatolia. The Iron Age continued until writing was rediscovered in 730 B.C. in Phrygian Kingdom and in 650 B.C. in the rest of the Middle and West Anatolia. During the Iron Age the houses were huge, small, one roomed buildings. The oldest house that has been finally brought to daylight is dated at 925-900 B.C.
  The walls of this well-preserved one roomed house (2, 45 x 4m) were all made of sun-dried bricks and the roof of the house was made of reeds. People started to protect their hometown with thick ramparts made of sun-dried bricks. From now on Ä°zmir achieved an identity of city-state. A man called Baseleus was most probably in charge of the city. Migrants and bigwigs constituted the noble class. The population living inside the city walls were approximately a thousand people. The public of city-state was living in near-by villages. The fields, olive trees, wine yards, and the workshops of potters and stonecutters of ancient Ä°zmir were all located in those villages.
  People made their living on agriculture and fishing. HOMER, SON OF MELES The first and the greatest poet of history and the poet of the legendary works named Iliad and Odyssey, Homer was born in Ä°zmir. There is no other poet like Homer, who lived between 750-700 B.C. and affected all civilizations in the world. Seven cities claimed that Homer is their countryman. These cities are Salamis, Argos, Athens, Rhodes, Chios, Kolophon, and Smyrna. It is impossible for him to be from Salamis, Argos, Athens or Rhodos since he wrote his legends with a mixture of Ionian-Aeolian style that are particularly Anatolian dialects. He is said to be exiled to Chios. For this reason there is a place called Homer Rocks on the particular island. Moreover, the most favourite nickname of Homer was ‘Melesigenes’ which means ‘Child of Meles Brook’. It becomes obvious that Homer was born in Ä°zmir since Meles Brook is located within the territory of the city. Homer’s masterpiece Iliad Legend that tells about the last forty days of the war that had continued for ten years between the Greeks and the Anatolian Trojans is constitute of 16.000 lines. It is obvious that patriot Homer supported the Trojans and showed Greek leaders and warriors as truculent and cruel in this legend. This essentially proves that Homer is an Anatolian. Homer’s second epic ‘Odyssey’, on the other hand, tells about the period ten years after the Trojan War. The trial of a warrior named ‘Odysseus’ who is trying to return to his hometown is told in the epic. The epic is constituted of 12.000 lines. The oldest records of history and culture; ‘‘Iliad’’ and ‘‘Odyssey’’ continue their poetic influence in today’s world as the most impressive stories of world literature.
  Aristotle tells about the birth of Homer as: ‘‘Kriteis, the daughter of Ios Island gets pregnant by a deity during the Ion Migration. Although, she escapes to Egina, the pirates present her to the Lydian King Maion in Ä°zmir. Kriteis falls in love with the king and they get married. After a while, Kriteis gives birth to Homer near Meles Brook and dies after. Maion brings this child up and names him as ‘Melesigenes’ (‘Child of Meles’) to emphasize the place where he was born.’’ Although, various writers of antique age told different stories they agreed on two subjects concerning his life: The blind Homer was born in Ä°zmir and read his poems in the shores of Meles Brook and sing his legends with the accompaniment of lyre near the brook which flows to mingle with the sea. The most important sacred place of the town was the Temple of Athens. The oldest ruin preserved until today dates back to 725-700 B.C. The period in which the city had reached its peak was between 650-545 B.C… This period lasted hundred-years and was considered to be the most powerful period of the whole Ion Civilization. Under the leadership of Miletos, colonies were established in Egypt, Syria, west coasts of Lebanon, Marmara Region, Black sea and East Hellen competed and replaced the place of Greece in various fields and subjects. In this period, it is apparent that Ä°zmir not only dealed with agriculture but also participated in Mediterranean trade. One of the most important signs of that great period in Ä°zmir is the spreading of writing out beginning with 650 B.C. There were many presentation inscriptions in the gifts that were dedicated to Goddess Athena. Few people among the public were literate.
  The temple of Athens found in excavations dated back to 640-580 B.C. The oldest and the most beautiful capitals have been found in Ä°zmir. The oldest model of many-roomed-type house of this period was found in ancient Ä°zmir. Known to be the oldest house having so many rooms under its roof, this house was built in the second half of 7th century B.C. The house is two-floored and has five rooms with a courtyard. The houses before this type were composed of megarons standing adjacent to each other.
  Izmir was built on the Hippodamian system in which streets intersect at right angles even in the second half of 7th century, the streets were lying from north to south, and from east to west directions and the houses all overlooked to the south. This city plan, which would take the name of Hippodamos later in 5th century B.C., had already been known in Near East.
  Bayraklı city plan is the earliest model of this type in the West. The oldest parquetry road of Ion Civilization was brought to daylight in Ancient Ä°zmir The oldest civil work of architecture in Ancient Ä°zmir, belonging to Hellen’s is the beautiful stone fountain, built in the first half of 7th century. Standing on the Mt Yamanlar, the Tomb of Tantalos is a beautiful sample of the tholos type monumental tombs. The grave room of Tantalos’ tumulus was in the plan of the mentioned fountain, displaying a style called isopata that means the construction has a rectangle plan, covered by vaults made with corbel technique. Known as Tomb of Tantalos this monumental work is thought to be the tomb of Basileus or Tyrant who ruled ancient Smyrna in 580-520 B.C. TANTALOS IN MYTHOLOGY Tantalos, the son of Zeus was the only mortal that can dine with gods. He was so proud that he started to look down on the gods. In order to show the gods as cannibals, he sacrificed his son Pelops and served him in the dinner. However, the gods realized that it was human meat and left the table and sent Tantalos to hell. Tantalos stands in knee-deep clean water, but anytime he bends over to drink, the water is sucked up by the ground. Whenever he wants to reach the most delicious fruits hanging above him, they rise up. In abundance of food and water, King Tantalos suffered from hunger and thirst since then it is called Tantalos Torture. The English word ‘tantalize’which means ‘‘desiring something but inability of getting’’ comes from this mythological story.
  The richness of the city impressed the Lydians and caused them to battle with Ä°zmir. Lydian army captured the city in 610-600 B.C and they fired and destroyed Ä°zmir. However, the people managed to re-build their city again. The fall of Ancient Ä°zmir is the result of the Persian invasion. Persian emperor required the towns of Aegean coast to prop himself against Lydians while their army was going forward in Anatolia. In order to punish the towns, which refuse to support him, the Persian Emperor attacked Ä°zmir with the other towns after conquering Sardis, the capital of Lydia. As a result of the attacks of Persian army, Ä°zmir was destroyed in 545 B.C. After this great destruction, no city type settlement was observed in Bayraklı.
  Alexander the Great defeated Darius in Issus in 333 B.C. and captured the whole East. The cities witnessed a great increase in population. During this period, Alexandria, Rhodes, Pergamon, and Ephesus reached a population over 100.000. A few thousand people could live in the city walls of ancient Ä°zmir founded on a small hill. Therefore, a new larger city was established on the skirts of Kadifekale in 300 B.C. Becoming a Roman territory in 133 B.C., Ä°zmir started to live a golden period for the second time. Due to the importance that the city achieved, the Roman Emperors who came to Anatolia also visited Ä°zmir. Emperor Hadrianus also visited Ä°zmir in his journey in 121-125 AD.
  The most important event that Ä°zmir witnessed in 178 AD was the devastating earthquake. Considered to be one of the severest disasters happened in the city, the earthquake razed the town to the ground in 178 AD. The destruction was so big that the support of the Empire for re-building was inevitable. Emperor Marcus Aurelius had such a great contribution in the rebuilding activities that the city was even founded again. Various works of art are thought to be made in the city during the period of Roman Empire. The streets were completely covered with stones and these stones became dominant in the general view of the city. Among the constructions that were built in Ä°zmir during the Roman era, few traces remained from the stadium at west and from the theatre in the northwest skirt of Mount Pagos. On the other hand, the Agora of the state is well preserved.
  After the Roman Empire had been separated, Ä°zmir became a territory of the East Roman Empire known as Byzantium. Ä°zmir had become a religious center since the early times of Byzantines. However, the city did not display much progress. Although the Hun Emperor Attilla took the control of the city, this sovereignty could not last long and the city was taken back by the Byzantines.
  Turks first captured Ä°zmir under the command of KutalmışoÄŸlu Süleyman Åžah in 1076. Çakabey conquered Klazomenai, Foça, Chios, Samos and Ä°stankoy Islands. After the death of Çakabey, the town and its vicinity was conquered by the Byzantines in 1098.
  Ä°zmir was captured by the Knights of Rhodes when Istanbul was conquered by crusaders. Smyrna became a Turkish land when the Turkish sailor Umur Bey took the city back from Catholic Knights in 1320. During the period of principalities, some part of the city and its surroundings was taken under the sovereignty of both Aydınogulları and Saruhanogulları Principalities. Murat II occupied Ä°zmir in 1422 and Ä°zmir became an Ottoman territory. After some privileges were given to foreigners in 1620, Ä°zmir became one of the most important trade centers of Ottomans. Consulates of foreign countries increased because of the capitulations given to Europe by the Ottomans. It is known that these consulates dealt with trade. Each consulate had its own quay and their ships were anchoring there. The fire Ä°zmir witnessed after the devastating earthquake happened in 1688, demolished the whole city.
  However, after the fire and the earthquake the city was rapidly reconstructed. In 18th and 19th centuries, Ä°zmir became popular among the French, English, Dutch and Italian merchants. Being a multinational trade center in Ottoman Empire, Ä°zmir was occupied by Greek Army on 15 May 1919 . This occupation came to an end on September 9, 1922. However, on September 13, Ä°zmir could not escape from experiencing probably the greatest disaster of its history. The fire, which started in Basmane Quarter, destroyed more than 20.000 buildings in an area of 2.600.000 m². This fire unfortunately destroyed ¾ of the city. However, the city rose again like a Phoenix from its ashes after the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.