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About
South Aegean Holiday Guide
If one were to
claim that the most scenic vistas in Anatolia can be found
on the coasts of the Aegean, he could not be accused of
exaggerating. In the words of Heredotus, the Aegean coasts "have
the most beautiful sky and the best climate in the world."
The bays and peninsulas, coves and golden beaches stretch
the length of these beautiful shores. In this region where
the countless events of mythology took place, you will
encounter the theaters, temples and agoras of ancient cities
at almost every turn. The city of Troy immortalized by Homer
and Pergamum, the art and cultural center and capital city
of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the day, are both
located on Aegean soil.
The provinces located in the Aegean region are Afyon,
Aydin, Denizli, Izmir, Kütahya, Manisa, Mugla and Usak.
Situated in Edremit Bay, at the meeting point of beautiful
sea, the health-giving springs of Akçay and a pine forest,
the scenic Ayvalik has been called the "Olive-grove Riviera."
As you leave the shores of the bay and head south past a
countless number of splendid holiday resort areas, you come
to Foça, famous for the heroic Turkish sailors based here.
If you want to see Sardis, the capital of the wealthy Lydian
king, Croesus, you will have to detour inland a bit.
Located on
the bay of the same name, Izmir is a modern city
brimming with life. It is also a bustling commercial
center and shopping in its busy markets is sure to be a
pleasurable experience. The peninsula of Çesme with its
brilliant waters, superb beaches and thermal springs
lies to the west of Izmir.
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Among the
most famous cities of the ancient world, Ephesus was one
of the biggest cities of 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, theaters,
libraries, markets and smaller temples were all
architectural symbols of the city's fame. Further to the
south you will see the ancient city of Priene, built
according to a geometric plan designed by the great
architect of Milet, Hippodamos. Milet was a great center
of commerce and thought in the ancient world and
important developments, scientific and otherwise, took
place here. The nearby Didim, though not one of the
ancient cities, is still famous for its magnificent
temple dedicated to Apollo.
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On the
Izmir-Antalya road, Aphrodisias (Geyre) was an important
cultural and art center famous for its training in
sculpture. On the same road is found the world-famous
Pamukkale. Passing this way without stopping and taking
a look is unthinkable. The plentiful calcium-rich
thermal waters flowing out of the mountain have, over
time, created an extraordinary masterpiece. Here one may
take a bath in the health-giving waters while gazing at
this natural phenomenon, which is unparalleled in world
geography. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis
lie behind this calcium terraced mountain.
When it comes to holiday resorts the first places that
come to mind in the southern part of the Aegean region
are Bodrum, Marmaris, Datça, Köycegiz and Fethiye.
Bodrum (ancient Halikarnas) is the birthplace of the
great historian Heredotus. The mausoleum of King
Mausolos was considered one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world. Marmaris, with its modern marina
surrounded by its lush mountains and hills, is an
alluring vacation getaway with clean crystal clear
waters. Nearby is Datça adorned with flowers and a
little further on Köycegiz with its pristine highlands,
then it is the Lycian Graves, the Dead Sea (Ölü Deniz)
and Fethiye. Mamaris is an absolute paradise of endless
sand and eternal blue sea.
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Miletus
Miletus
is near the village of Balat, 42 kms from Söke, a county
of the province Aydin. This place initially was founded
during the 2nd millenium B.C. on the coast of the Latmic
Gulf ( now Lake Bafa ). The town became one of the most
important of the twelve cities bordering the Aegean
Sea, which formed the Ionian Confederation. The Theatre,
erected on the south-west slopes of the hill of Kaletepe,
profiting from the natural inclination, is the best
preserved building of Miletus.
Didima
The
Apollo Temple of Didyma, located within the boundaries
of the village of Yeni Hisar in the Söke district of
the province of Aydin, was known as a sanctuary and
seat of an oracle attached to Miletus. Recent excavations
revealed remains which showed that Didyma was not only
a seat of an oracle but also the site of dense settlement.
The research concerning the origins of the names of
Didyma and Didymaion has been a subject of discussion.
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