Introduction
If you immerse yourself in the glory of the past, then there’s no better place than this antique city of Izmir.
Bored of buildings and machines all around?
Why not explore something of the gone days?
If you are the one who wants to add a bit of adventure into your lives, then Izmir holds it for you. Izmir tells you a story of itself with every building you encounter, with every mural you explore, with every road you take. This ancient city has a history of being ruled by Persians, Ottoman and Alexander the Great. Its ancient name was Smyrna and is still sometimes referred to it in English, Italian, Spanish, Armenian and Portuguese. Not only this, it will trigger your inquisitive side to know that this city has an urban history of over 3000 years and a history of 8500 human settlement since the Neolithic Age.
Speaking of contemporary times, it is one of the most popular and visited city in Turkey after Istanbul. Izmir has grown into a metropolitan city over this period. This city has an exquisite location on the head of the Anatolian coast and is one of the principal mercantile ports of the Mediterranean Sea.
We all know that the fame of Turkish coffee has reached every part of the world. Why not taste it in its authentic taste in the city of Izmir itself.
Antiquity of Izmir
Izmir is one of the oldest settlement in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its exquisite location near the sea, it has caught the attention of many rulers and empires. Before the 7th century, it was used as a cemetery and did not have such a great historical. It was after the 7th century that its status changed from a cemetery to a city-state when a lot of people started settling outside city walls. Among all the empires, the Lydian Empire was the first who was attracted to this beautiful port city followed by Persian rule.
However, Alexander the Great defeated Persian and conquered Izmir shifting the foundation of the city to the slopes of Mount Pagos. However, it was soon followed by Roman Rule under which it gained immense importance and development and this city emerged as the religious centre Of Romans.
The Medieval period sees Izmir between two powers namely the Turks and the knights. However, none of them could fully take over this tempting city of Izmir followed by the Ottoman Empire.
There was a spurt of growth in Izmir after the 16th century during which it became one of the most important port city. Despite many natural calamities, it continued to grow. However, Turkey couldn’t stay away from Izmir and overtook it in 1922.
Izmir endured a lot many disasters but nothing could come between its growth and here the city of Izmir stands and registers its name in one of the largest metropolitan cities in Turkey as well in the world.
Its antiquity and its variedness in the perspective of Architecture and culture will attract your attention. Its Roman and Arabic culmination of the architecture and that of its history will make you question it.
Also Izmir homes a large community of Jews and ranks 2nd in their number after Istanbul.
So, Izmir is no less than Istanbul in any respect.
What Izmir holds for you?
Izmir has a great sense of celebration. When you are in Izmir you can find a lot of trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses to keep you company. These are held in the inner part of the city by a depending company of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.
When you are in Izmir one thing you can be sure of is jazz. The Izmir European Jazz Festival is proof that jazz runs deep in Izmir. It is held every year to bring people together on the ground of jazz. The Izmir Short Film Festival is held since 1999 every year just to freshen you up and lift your lives with a little bit of drama. Also, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality looks forward to adding a bit more to the city’s art and culture by building up the Art centre.
So when you are in this amazing city full of wonders one thing you cannot be short of is art, culture and music.
For Foodies
Izmir’s vivid history and culture have added to this city’s taste. But a lot of its cuisines come from the Aegean and Mediterranean region. However, the food is a culmination of its pure taste with outer influences owing to its vivid history. Moreover, it is likely to see green in most of Izmir’s cuisine. Tarhana soup made with tomato and yoghurt are some of the basic dishes and is sure to steal away your heart. Zerde is also a special dish which is sweetened rice with the essence of our most beloved saffron.
If you’re the one who is fascinated by Turkish sweets then Izmir also plays its part by adding boyz and lokma which are two pastries. If you are in love with those morning sandwiches then Izmir has something special for you, Kumru is a special kind of sandwich found only in this city. Izmir also offers boiled wheat meat dishes as some of its delicacies. Be sure to try them when you have this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Izmir.
Summing up
Izmir has an aura of its own that will lure you and invite you to visit this amazing city. This city not only offers uniqueness in taste but also in art. This city claims itself as one of the art lovers. Its love formulaic and jazz can be judged by its festivals and liveliness. This city has great respect for art and is itself the culmination of so many rulers and cultures. The vividness in architecture will put your mind into question and you will be stunned by the Arabic and Roman remains you find in this city.
This city will not only offer you a rejuvenating start but also a thought-provoking one and you are sure to have one of the memorable experiences of your life.
