Izmir Things to Do

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Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean,and perhaps the best place in the world to get the feeling for what life was like in Roman times. As a strategic coastal gateway to the Eastern World, this Ionian refuge grew to be the second largest city in
the Roman Empire, the site of a Christian shrine, and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Legend has it that the Virgin Mary,accompanied by St. Paul, came to Ephesus atthe end of her life,circa 37-45 AD. Renaissance church historians mentioned the trip, and it is said that local Christians venerated a small house near Ephesus as Mary's. In 1967 Pope Paul VI. visited the site, where a chapel now stands, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. Also the Basilica of St. John is located near Ephesus. St. John is said to have lived the last years of his life here and after his death, a shrine was located over his grave .

At Konak square I noticed this small mosque. I loved this tiny charming mosque which is situated right next to the clock tower. Don’t expect to find a good corner for picture though because dozens of people passing by endlessly! :)

The Konak mosque was built in 1755 by Ayshe Hanim (daughter of Mehmet Pasha) in an octagonical style and what we see in our days is after the major restoration in 1964.

Konak square. This is the main square of Izmir. You will come here anyway because you have to see the clock tower (see next tip). I stay there for a while watching the locals walking everywhere around without stopping. It is so busy with all these people going to work and me as a tourist tried to catch the weird combination of looking the well dressed people going in and out of the many banks around and others trying just to eat a simit from the corner next to the little mosque...

Cumhuriyet Meydani, or Republic Square, is a main square at the heart of Izmir. It is, like the other major sqaure, Konak, right near the waterfront and the Kordon (the pictureseque avenue with pedestrian/bicycle path along the waterfront). It has the large equestrian statute of Ataturk and many major hotels, post office, etc., are in the vicinity.

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Kadifekale is the name of the castle situated on top of the 200 meters height hill. Kadifekale means "the velvet castle" in Turkish. Both the hill and the castle were named Pagos or Pagus under the Roman Empire.

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The Statue of Hasan Tahsin who is a national hero in Turkey is located at the Konak Square just opposite the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Building. He was the journalist who fired the first bullet of resistance in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) of independence.

He was the first to open fire on the Greek soldiers that landed in Izmir. As such, his name came to symbolize the date of 15 May 1919 in Turkey. His opening fire on Greek troops led to rioting which killed over 300 people.

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The small single-domed Konak Yali Mosque is located a neighbor to the Clock Tower. It was built by Mehmet Paa's daughter Ayse Hanim in the 18th century.
It is remarked by its octagonal plan.

It is built in classical Ottoman architecture style and embroidered by famous Kutahya ceramic tiles. The windows are also surrounded by ceramic tiles. The minaret has a circular body. During the years of the First World War it has gone through a serious restoration and it was again restored in 1964.

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The beautiful marble Clock Tower or Saat Kulesi in Turkish is a landmark of Izmir. It stands out at the center of theKonak square and has 25 meters high. It was designed by the Levantine French architect Raymond Charles Père and its ornate was made in late-Ottoman design.

The tower was built in honor of Sultan Abdulhamid in 1901 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his accession to the throne. The clock itself was sent as a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The tower features four fountains which are placed around the base in a circular pattern, and the columns are inspired by North African themes.