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The Aegean
Region
Many would agree that the coastal region of the Aegean has some of the most
stunning views in the country and in the words of Herodotus, "has the most
beautiful sky and the best climate in the world." The bays, peninsulas, and
golden beaches stretch along the coastline and this region was also the
venue of countless mythological events. There are remains of ancient cities
including Troy, immortalized by Homer and Pergamon, the art and cultural centre
and capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms at the time. The cities in
the Aegean region are Afyon, Aydin, Denizli, Izmir, Kutahya, Manisa, Mugla and
Usak.

Situated in the Edremit bay is the town called Ayvalik, which is the meeting point of the sea, the
therapeutic springs of Akcay, the pine forests and the land which has been dubbed the
olive-grove Riviera. To the south are countless resorts, then further south is
Foca, famous for the heroic Turkish sailors who were based here. Sardis, the
capital of the wealthy Lydian King Croesus, is a small detour inland.

Located in a narrow bay, Izmir is a modern city and the third largest in Turkey,
as well as the major port on the Aegean. It brims with life and is a busy
commercial centre, with broad boulevards and modern architecture, combined with
the traditional red-tiled roofs of the old houses in the bazaar area. The
peninsula of Cesme with its brilliant waters, superb beaches and thermal
springs, lies to the west of Izmir.


Among the most famous cities of the ancient world, Ephesus was one of the
biggest during the Roman era. A treasury of all the riches of Ionian culture,
Ephesus had a reputation for philosophy and critical thinking. The Temple of
Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as countless
statues, theatres, libraries, markets and smaller temples were all architectural
symbols of the city's fame.

Ephesus Amphitheater Ephesus Celsius Library
Further to the south is the ancient city of Priene,
built according to a geometric plan designed by the great architect of Milet, Hippodamos. Milet was a great centre of commerce and thought in the ancient
world and was the venue of many significant developments, scientific and
intellectual. The nearby Didim, though not one of the ancient cities, is still
famous for its magnificent temple dedicated to Apollo.

Aphrodisias Adrien Temple
On the Izmir-Antalya road, Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important centre for
culture and art famous for its training in sculpture. On the same road is the
world-famous Pamukkale, with its calcium-rich thermal waters flowing out of the
mountain which have, over centuries, created an extraordinary geographical
phenomenon of white marble terraces. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis
lie behind this.

The best known holiday resorts in this area are Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca,
Koycegiz and Fethiye, and private boats can be chartered to explore the bays of
the south Aegean, immortalized in the book Mavi Yolculuk (Blue Voyage). Bodrum
(ancient Halicarnassos) is the birthplace of the great historian Herodotus. The
mausoleum of King Mausolos was considered one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world. Marmaris is a lively resort with a modern marina surrounded by
lush mountains and crystal-clear waters and further south is the bay of Oludeniz, famous for watersports and
paragliding and the coastal town of
Fethiye.
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