Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

7.7.08

"KUSADASI", TURKEY

Kusadasi, or Birds’ Island, is known as a “fisher- men’s village. Originally it is a quiet garden where farmers harvested thyme, sage, wild roses, figs, grapes and olives. It is - and we hope it will stay long - an animated village.

Kusadasi has an unimpressive beach, however, the waterfront promenade makes for a great sunset stroll. Ladies Beach, a topless beach, is located 3.5kms south of town. Acting as a buffer between the Greek island of Samos and the Turkish mainland, Dilek National Park offers some isolated beaches with pine trees. Perhaps the main attraction of a trip to Kusadasi is a journey to the nearby ruins of Ephesus. Other significant ancient sites in the area include: Miletus, Priene, and Didyma.

Kusadasi was ruled by the Ottoman Empire after the invasion of Sultan Mehmet Celebi in the year 1413. During the reign of Ottomans, glorious new structures were built in Kusadasi Okuz Mehmet Pasa Caravanserai is the principal legacy of the Ottoman architecture in the city, and was built by the man of the same name, who was the vizier during the reigns of Sultan Ahmet1 and Osman2. The fortress is gates and walls and many mosques in the centre of Kusadasi, as well as the citadel of the castle in Pigeon Island, were built in the Ottoman period, reflecting the architectural style of the era. "Kusadasi " that means "bird island" and took its name from Pigeon Island.

Kusadasi is the heart of the Turkish Aegean seaside. It is one of the most beautiful places for recreation and fun holidays. Thanks to the marina and great harbor, Kusadasi is a favorite calling place for yachts and tour vessels with the result that there are many good shopping opportunities to be found. Also is a a very good start point for trips at Ephesus, Pamukkale, Miletos, etc.

Turkey’s national language is Turkish. In Turkey, especially in Kusadasi, most people can speak English and also some can speak some other foreign languages such as German, French, Italian and other languages. The national currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). But currencies like USD, GBP, or DEM are universally accepted at various places at current exchange rates.Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be changed all over Kusadasi in banks, hotels and money exchange offices. Banks are open nationwide Monday through Friday except public holidays between 8:30 am and 17:00 pm. Some banks and money exchange offices remain open until midnight, especially in summer.. Major international credit cards, such as Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express and Dinners Club are accepted by all major banks, restaurants, hotels and shops.

In Kusadasi, your have the perfect mix of Eastern mysticism and modern western technology that is one of the reasons why Kusadasi is a shopper’s paradise and why shopping remains a top tourist attraction. Kusadasi is one of those remarkable places where shopping is a not just a journey around shops. Its more like a journey for your personal gain.

You will enjoy the fun of bargaining while a smiling salesman speaks many languages negotiating for their goods while you still feel at home. Shopping is high on most Kusadasi itineraries and deservedly so as it creates competitive prices. All this helps to make your spending spree a memorable experience.

One of the delights of shopping in Kusadasi is that most shops are open seven days a week There are no set hours of business but generally shops in Kusadasi remain open from 09:00 am to 12:00 AM in summer. Every Tuesday and Friday there is a large open market that sells locally grown fruit, vegetables, household items, Turkish embroideries and textiles.After the First World War, Kusadasi was invaded by the Greeks (1919). The city won a long struggle and in 1922 and became a part of Turkish Republic. Izmir was the capital of Kusadasi until 1954. Then the capital was changed to Aydin and the city of Kusadasi has shown a good deal of development, especially in tourism.

Today, Kusadasi is one of Turkey's most sophisticated holiday centres; it is a perfect place for vacation with its sandy beaches and glassy water. The contrast between the lively holiday life and the quietness of the ancient ruins create the special atmosphere of the city
The beaches in Kusadasi guarantees endless fun & unlimited sunbathing during your holiday....

1-Kusadasi City Beach: Located in the Kusadasi Centrum, the sandy beach provides a perfect environment.

2-Pigeon Island Beach: A private beach, situated on the shore of the island. Ideal for the swimmers enjoying translucent and deep waters of the Aegean.Pigeon Island Beach
3-Yilanciburnu Beach: A quiet beach, located on the peninsula behind Pigeon Island. It can be reached by Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies Beach) minibuses in every 5 minutes.Yilanciburnu Beach

4-Ladies Beach: The powdery sandy beach of Ladies Beach provides excellent entertaining within its borders. Kadinlar Denizi (Ladies Beach) minibuses departure from the city Centrum in every 5 minutes.Ladies Beach in Kusadasi
5-Long Beach: The long sandy beach and crystal-clear water of Long Beach are ideal for swimming, water sports and peaceful resting. The beach is 6km south of Kusadasi, -between Batihan Hotel and Nazilli Site, and can be reached by Sahil Siteleri minibuses in every 5 minutes.Long Beach Davutlar / Kusadasi

6-Paradise Beach: Situated between Aykustur and Sokeliler site, Paradise Beach offers a perfect environment.Paradise Beach

7-National Park Beaches: The beaches are located 30km southwest of Kusadasi. Icmeler, Aydinlik, Kavakli and Karasu bays are the principals of the numerous secluded bays and coves in the park. Clear waters of the bays provides an opportunity to dive. Only Icmeler bay has the sandy beach. You will feel the real quietness while resting peacefully in the shades of the pines. National Park minibuses departures in every 30 minutes from Kusadasi.

TRUVA,ASSOS,CANAKKALE

The province of Canakkale lies on both sides of the Dardanelles which connects the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. Its shores touch both Europe (with the Gelibolu Peninsula) and Asia (with the Biga Peninsula) and there are ferries here between the two sides. The well-equipped Canakkale Marina, besides those of Karabiga, Gelibolu, Bozcaada and Kucukkuyu, hosts the colorful yachts which pass through the strait and make a stopover at Canakkale, to see this historical and mythological-rich area-homeland of many widely known legends. The province has witnessed two very important battles in history. One of them is the mythological war of Troy, which Homer immortalized in his Illiad.

Archeological digs in Troy (Truva) have proved that there had been nine separate periods of settlement. (3000 BC-AD 400). Here, one can see the ruins of city walls in addition to the Wooden Horse of Troy. The other one is the Battle of Canakkale which took place during World War I when Turkish troops under the command of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk maintained the defense of the region against enemy forces and Canakkale has taken its place in history as "Canakkale; unpassable". To honor the 500,000 soldiers who gave their lives at Gelibolu (Gallipoli), this peninsula has been made a national park of remembrance. There are memorial monuments here in surroundings of natural beauty.

The small village of Behramkale is a lovely place, facing the Gulf of Edremit. It is founded on the site of Assos where there is the famous Temple of Athena built in the 6th-century BC. The panoramic view of the Gulf from the top of the acropolis is breathtaking and the remains of Assos, surrounding the acropolis are worth visiting.Gokceada, the largest of the Turkish islands, and Bozcaada are also in this region and they have many camping facilities.City, northwestern Turkey, at the mouth of Koca River (the ancient Rhodius River), on the Asian side of the Dardanelles. Originally a 15th-century Ottoman fortress called Kale-i Sultaniye, it had by the 18th century developed a reputation for its pottery, whence its name (Turkish çanak, "pot," and kale, "fortress"). The pottery industry reached its peak in the 18th and 19th centuries and has now declined; but the city has become one of the chief centres of the Turkish fish-canning industry. It is connected by steamer service with Istanbul. Because of its location controlling the Dardanelles (Turkish: Çanakkale Bogazi), less than 1 mile (1.6 km) wide at that point, Çanakkale has always been strategically important. It was damaged by British bombardment during World War I. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 52,887.

TROY-Truva
Ancient Troy is famous for the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of an equally legendary couple: Helen and Paris. The remains of the city were excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, a German archeologist who used Homer’s Iliad to locate the site, and who also took all of the invaluable treasures he found there back to Germany with him. Homer had immortalized Troy with his immortal narration of the stories of King Priam, Hector, Paris and the beautiful Helen. Excavations revealed nine separate periods (layers) of settlement. The ruins include a temple, a theater and foundations. Today, a recent wooden copy of the famous Trojan Horse symbolically stands on the site to recall its legendary original since long vanished.The earliest - known inhabitants of the region lived in the Chalcolithic sites of Besiktepe and Kumtepe. They were followed by Trojans who lived in this land dating back from 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. without being influenced. After Troy had been sacked, Achaeans settled. During t he migrations across the Aegean Sea, some others came and settles. Finally, after the death of the Commander Roger De Flor, the Catalonians controlled the region but they handed it over to Turkish Beys after reaching an agreement with them.

TROY
It is located on a mound called "Hisarlik" on the south - east side of the plain of the River Scamander, where the Straits join with the Aegean and are tat-her narrow, within the boundaries of the Province of Canakkale. Troy is famous for different reasons. First, it is associated with the sagas of the Trojan War told by Homer in the "Iliad" and the “Odyses". Second, it is linked with the German excavator Schliemann who dug the ground the first time. At the end of the excavations nine cities have been unearthed. Later on they have been subdivided into 46 strata.


TROY 1 (3000-2500 B.C.)
This layer, which consists of ten strata, is the initial settlement of the Early Bronze Age. It occupies a small area. Judging from the walls, it may be considered that the city's civilization at the time surpassed the neighboring civilizations. One story - houses have been found during the excavations. As a construction material sun dried the people of Troy have used bricks.

TROY 11 (2500-2200 B.C.)

It is the first settlement where we see town planning first. The area covered by second city is larger than the first one. This settlement composed of seven layers. Stones were used as a construction material at the bases. The upper parts of walls were sun - dried clay bricks. The most interesting building from this period is the megaron house with the pillars. Troy 11 has been the center of contemporary civilization at the time. It ended in a raging fire.

TROY III (2200-MO B.C.)

The city, which covers a larger area than the previous one, is again surrounded by the walls. The settlement is not well planned, there are irregular blocks of ho- uses scattered on the site. The most striking feature of the period is that the stones were used in the construction of the city walls. The buildings became larger and developed. The base was earth. They were constructed on the ground.

TROY IV (2052-1900 B.C.)

This settlement, which has be- en founded on the second city, is about 17.000 square meters. This settlement was subdivided into five layers. Main future of the settlement is that the blocks of the houses were attached to each other. The most striking feature of the period is that by building birch houses based on stones, they have returned to the technique of the second city.

TROY V (1900-1800 B.C.)

We see a development both in the building technique and the workmanship in the construction of the walls and the houses. The walls are neat and well - designed. The houses consisted of a big hall, a courtyard, and a few rooms.

TROY VI (1800-1300 B.C.)

It was a very prominent Acropolis of the period with its strong walls, and very well - planned, beautiful houses. It consisted of 8 strata and was founded in the Middle Bronze Age; the layer is very different from the other layers. Both in the construction technique and the fortifications a big advance occurred. It can be sa- id that a kind of architectural technique was realized. Houses were not attached to each other. They advanced both in size and com- fort. Ten houses are still in a good condition surviving till our time on the site.

TROY VII / A (1300-1260 B.C.)

The most striking feature of the period is the pithoi in situ under the floors of the houses. It is believed that they were used to store food and liquid supplies for an emergency. The houses huddling together were roughly built. They raise one above the other in concentric circles. According to Carl W. Blegen this was Priam's city.

TROY VII B 1 (1260-1190 B.C.)

It was founded on Troy VII A. The debris of the devayed city varies from 0.50 meters to 1.00 meters. The style of the construction continued in this city.

TROY VII B 2 (1190-110 B.C.)

In this period we see that the new people settled in Troy changed the building technique. They combined the single roomed ho- uses. So they were enlarged to get more room. The most prominent feature of the buildings is the use of orthostats. They were used to strengthen the lower courses of the walls. Fire and left again destroyed it.

TROY IX (350-400 A.D.)

In this period the city spread and covered the whole monud. It was the biggest city ever known. -During the reign of Augustus the city was repaired. The temple of Athena was the most important building. It was erected on the mound in Doric order supported by a podium with three steps. Ro- man ruins are on the south - western section between the temple of Athena and the town walls. The Bouleuterion, theatre, and the auditorium all date from the Roman period.

DARDANOS
It is about 11 km. from Canakkale near the Kalabakli stream in Maltepe. During the construction of summerhouses for the Cement Factory in 1959 a family tumulus was unearthed. This shed light on the history of the region. Findings date from archaic periods VII, VI. B.C. and the Roman period 11 A.D.

SIGEON

It is about 34 km. away Canakkale. It is in Yenikoy. it is not excavated year. In Classical Era Pisistratos and his son settled in this region.

ABYDOS
It is located in the south of Nara Point and is about 2 km. away from Canakkale. The remains were unearthed in 1675. It was not excavated very well

SULTAN CASTLE

It is an impressive work of art which gave its name to the pre- sent town. It was built by Mehmet Conqueror in the 15 th century. During the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent it was again repaired in 1551. It consists of two main parts, other walls and the central keep.

NARA CASTLE

It is about 6 km. away from Canakkale. The construction of castle started in 1807 during the reign of Selim 111, but it was finished during the reign of Mahmut 11. In the construction of the walls the re- mains of Abyclos were used.

FATIH MOSQUE

It is located on the southern edge of Canakkale Carsisi. It was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452. It was renewed by the Sultan Abdulaziz in 1862 and 1863. It was enlarged and two more sections were added to the mosque after the minaret.

KALE MESCID1

It is in the castle. Two of the walls and Mihrab (the niche) are in good condition.

ATIK HISAR

It is about 10 km. away from Canakkale, on the road to Can. The remains of two castles facing each other can be seen.

AYVACIK DISTRICT

It is famous the remains of Assos and Chryse.

ASSOS
Assos lies within the village of Behremkale. I is believed that Assos was founded by the people of Methymna in the 7th century B.C. a town on the island of Lesbos. Walls surround the Acropolis, built on a hill dominating both sea and land, about 3 km. in length. These walls were distinctively built at the time expressing different style and workmanship. The gateways, which were built in different design and character, are very interesting. The temple of Athena built on the highest points of the hill, the bouleterion, consisting of statuettes, small monumental buildings, and the gymnasium the theatre stoa and the necropolis from Roman period, and the agora are the finest examples of the period. Apart from Assos in Ayvacik; Chryse in GoIpinar Bahcelerici, the shrine of Apollo Smintheus with luted pillars which is one of three in Turkey (Didyma Apollon, Ephesus Artemis), the altar of Zeus in Adatepe, mentioned in Iliad by Homer, the Roman bridge in Golpinar, Babakale Mosque, built by Kaymak Mustafa Pasha in the seventeenth century, Hudavendigar Mosque, built on a hill near Assos, the stone bridge built over Tuzla stream are all historical ruins worth visiting.

EZINE DISTRICT
Having the ruins of the Alexandria Troas and Neandria cities, the district is one of the most important settlement centers. An ancient harbor city, Alexandria Troas in Dalyan town, Neandria having its interesting ramparts and towers on the mountain of Cion near Kiyica town are the important ruins for the district. The first sample of Ottoman mosques is Abdurrahman Mosque in the district. Seher Sah Mosque and bath built during the period of Yildirim Beyazid in XIV. Century, Ahu Yunus Tomb in front of the Seher Sah Mosque, Aslihan Bey Complex with its mosque, bath and tomb is Kemali Village and Tuzla Complex with its school, mosque and bath have historical values coming from the past.

GELIBOLU DISTRICT
The district called Gallipolis in antique period is adorned with historical buildings during XIV. And XV. Centuries. Unfortunately the most was clestoreyed and the less reached today. It's estimated that Gallipolis was set up in VII Century B.C. Gallipolis Fortress constructed during antique time was restoration by Justiniaus I., Ulu Mosque (Hudavendigar Mosque) built during Murad L, Azebler Worship Place having majestic and royal image among the similar buildings, Yazicioglu Mosque, Sofca Halil Mosque, Ahmet Bican, Sarica Pasha and Yazicioglu Tombs are some of the historical works of art the dist- rict. Kasapoglu Alibey and Saruca Pasha Baths, Bolayir Gazi Suleyman Pasha Mosque and Tomb and also Namik Kemal's grave are the remarkable one in Gelibolu.
BAYRAMIC DISTRICT
Unfortunately sufficient research has not been realized in the district wich has been important settlement area since the ancient times. Kebren in Akpinar and Cal- dap towns and Skepsis in Kursunlu town are the most famous historical ruins.
BIGA DISTRICT
The district known as Pigas in X11 century was established on the area of old Pegae Adreste settled on the coast of Kocabas stream in Gumuscay subdistrict, Parium (Parion) near Kemer town and Pryapos in Karabiga sub district are the main ancient ruins on whish have not made detailed researches.

BOZCAADA DISTRICT
The district known as Teneclos has been mentioned on the famous epic poem, Iliad and Odyssey by Homer. The grave in the district found by excavations from Roman period VI century BC includes soil statues, pots and pans.Bozcaada Fortress built during