Information About Izmir, Turkey
Izmir is located in the western Aegean region of Turkey and is a very ancient city with a long and interesting history. Smyrna was one of the ''Seven Churches of the Revelation''. The famous bishop Polycarp had served in Smyrna from 115-156 AD and was also martyred here. According to legend it is said that the blind poet Homer was born and lived in this area. Izmir is a modern, tolerant and vibrant city and a major port on the Aegean. It has a dramatic setting, because the city surrounds a great bay and is backed by mountains to the west and south. There are palm tree lined boulevards along the water, cafes, restaurants and shopping. Izmir is a convenient base for visiting Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardes and other important ancient sights and here are some things to see in and around Izmir:

The Agora of Smyrna

This agora is well preserved but many parts are still buried under modern buildings. Serious consideration has also been given to excavating the ancient theater which is still buried under an urban zone on the slopes of Kadifekale (Mount Pagos). The ancient market place, was first built in the 4th century BC. The agora was a meeting place for all commercial, political, and religious activities for the local people. It was surrounded mostly by state buildings on a rectangular plan with a large central courtyard and a covered stoa around it. The agora was destroyed several times by strong earthquakes and it was rebuilt. The final restoration was carried out by Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. A large basilica has been found on the northern stoa. One of the main streets of Smyrna city intersected the agora dividing it in two equal parts, and there were entrance gates at both ends.

Clock Tower of Izmir

	The clock tower on Konak Square was built by architect Raymond Charles Pere in 1901 to commemorate 25th year of enthronement of the Ottoman sultan Abdulhamit I. The clock tower is 25 meters tall and has four levels on an octagonal plan. The North African style column capitals and the filled-in horseshoe-shaped
arches are interesting features of the tower. The clock mechanism was a gift from German Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Asansor (Elevator)

The historical Asansor built in 1907 on Mithatpasa Street, and Dario Moreno Street running to the Asansor, are interesting places to visit in Izmir. Before its construction, a stairway with 155 steps was used to climb to the Halil Rifat Pasa district 50 meters above. This elevator tower has joined the two districts with the aid of two elevators. Besides its breathtaking panorama of the city on the Aegean Sea especially at sunset or at night, a restaurant today is serving to its customers.

The Alsancak District
The Alsancak district was formerly called Punto and is an elegant residential district of Izmir. The neighborhood is stretches from the waterfront (Kordon - which is lined with nice bars and fine restaurants) inland. Alsancak was a favorite place of Levantines, Greeks and Armenians. The Alsancak train station was built in 1858 in a colonial architecture style. Trains to Aydin, Denizli and Buca depart from here. There is also a busy port in Alsancak district where commercial and cruise ships dock and regular ferry connections between Alsancak and Karsiyaka districts.

Izmir Castle
Visit Kadifekale (velvet castle) for the best view of sunset or a panoramic view of Izmir. Kadifekale (Pagos)The castle which we see today along with its five towers and southern walls were restored several times by Byzantines, Seljuks, and finally Ottomans. Kadifekale was abandoned until 18th century and many stones from ancient buildings were used as construction material. After 18th century people started to settle again and in the last 50 years invaded by irregular housing. The castle at 186 meters above sea level is one of the highest points of the city. There was also a defense wall starting from the Acropolis and extending in the direction of Basmane district (old Sardis road), and another one in the direction of Esrefpasa district (old Ephesus road). Remains of aqueducts, a stadium, theater and agora can be seen around Pagos hill. The theater on the northern slope overlooking the gulf offered great views and had a capacity of 16 thousand seats.

Kulturpark
The Izmir International Fair (IEF) is held in Kulturpark which covers an area of over 400,000 square meters in the heart of the city. Aside from this main event, organized in the beginning of September each year, there are up to forty notable fairs and expositions events held around the year in different areas of activity. There are also open-air theatres, the Painting and Sculpture Museum, art centers, amusement park, zoo and parachute tower in the complex.

The Archaeological Museum, near Konak Square, houses a superb collection of antiquities including the statues of Poseidon and Demeter which, in ancient times, stood in the Agora.

Next to the Archeology Museum, the Ethnography Museum contains folkloric artifacts, which include a fine collection of Bergama and Gordes carpets, traditional costumes and camel bridle.

The Ataturk Museum is situated on Ataturk Caddesi in an old Izmir house used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. It exhibits photographs of the leader as well as some of his personal effects.

The Fine Arts Museum, located in Konak, displays the works of famous Turkish painters.

The Selcuk Yasar Art Museum is a private museum on Cumhuriyet Bulvari with a collection of 20th-century Turkish art.

Kemeralti Market

Izmir's large bazaar with its maze of narrow streets is very colorful and it's a great place to shop with the locals.The bazaar is located near the Konak district. Originally it was built around

17th century right on the harbor and expanded in the following centuries as the port was silted in. Originally the shops were made of wood or bricks, some covered with domes. The name Kemeralti (under the arches) comes from the fact that there were streets covered with arches and shops underneath. Today, besides vaulted and domed shops of the past, here you can find modern business centers, stores, movie theaters, and cafeterias. All kinds of traditional Turkish handicrafts, ceramic ware, wooden objects, clothing, leather and kilims are sold in the markets, including food and fish for your daily shopping.

Aqueducts of Izmir
The Roman aqueducts were built on the Meles (Kemer) river to bring fresh water to the city. Double arches were formed with bricks, stones and mortar. Later the aqueducts were restored and used also by Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. Today only few sections left from a long aqueduct which can be seen in Sirinyer (old Kizilcullu) district.

Bird Paradise
Izmir Bird's Paradise is in Cigli, located 15 km west of Karsiyaka, and has 205 species of birds. There are 63 species of domestic birds, 54 species of summer migratory birds, 43 species of winter migratory birds, 30 species of transit birds. 56 species of birds have been breeding in the Park. Izmir Bird's Paradise which covers 80 square kilometer was registered as "The protected area for water birds and for their breeding" by Ministry of Forestry in 1982.

Kizlaragasi Han

This typical Ottoman building in Kemeralti neighborhood was built by Kizlaragasi Haci Besir Aga in the 18th century as a caravanserai. The Bedesten (Inn) is a square-shaped and two-level building, the large courtyard used to have a small pool in the middle. The upper floor had rooms for merchants stay. There were shops and rooms where servants of the tradesman used to sleep in the courtyard. Kizlaragasi Han, being also close to the port, was an important trade point in Izmir, and at certain times it even served as a local stock exchange. Kizlaragasi Han was restored in 1993 and converted into a handicrafts sales center.

Havra Street and Synagogues of Izmir
Havra is an important street of historical Kemeralti neighborhood. Local people come here to get their fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. The street gets its name from many Jewish synagogues (Havra in Turkish) built here. There are nine Synagogues on this street but only four are still in use.

Beth Israel Synagogue
This synagogue was built in 1905 by Nisim Levi in the Karatas quarter where an important Jewish community lived at the beginning of the 20th Century. At the entrance of the synagogue, in the upper-right corner, there is the opening date of 5668 according to the Jewish calendar, and on the upper-left corner there is the inscription Shaday (God). The interior of the synagogue is beautiful, woodworks are also impressive, and there are marble slabs with the names of the donors. The lower floor is reserved for men and has a capacity of up to 600 people, and the upper floor is reserved for ladies. Surprisingly, the Hakodesh (holy cabinet for Sefer Torah) is not to the east but to the south of the synagogue. Beth Israel is one of the two most frequented synagogues used today for important ceremonies, other one is a new synagogue located in Alsancak district where the main Jewish Community of the city now lives. Many other synagogues are rarely used.

The Anglican Church
The first Anglican Church in Izmir was built around 1625 by British Levantines of Smyrna. A second church was built in 1843 for the use of British living in Smyrna and named for St. John the Evangelist, completed in 1899 with a capacity of around 150 seats. It has beautiful wood carvings, stained glass windows and an impressive organ. A Vicarage built next to the church is now used as the British Consulate of Izmir. The church is located near the Alsancak train station.

Another Anglican church in Izmir is the church of St. Mary Magdalene which was built around 1858 by British Levantines again, in Bornova. St. Mary Magdalene is located within the grounds of Ege University in Bornova. This church is closed except special occasions or scheduled services.

Saint Polycarp Church
This is the oldest Christian church in Izmir which was built in 1625 with the permission of Sultan Suleyman of the Ottoman Empire and by the wish of King of France Louis 13th. It was dedicated to St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred by the Romans in 155 AD, at the age of 86, in the stadium near Kadifekale. The church was badly damaged during earthquakes and fires in the 17th century, and was restored each time. Inside the church, next to the altar, there is a self-portrait of Raymond Pere, Levantine architect of the Clock Tower in Konak district.