Izmir's Natural and Cultural Heritage

Standing out with its cultural, historical and natural beauties, Izmir preserves the heritage it has brought for centuries in its best form. Today, it is a dazzling city for both domestic and foreign tourists. It has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List with the Pergamon Multilayer Cultural Landscape Area and the Ephesus World Heritage Site. There are also different historical structures that are tentatively included in this list. It stands out as a city that cannot be overlooked in terms of tourism with its history that attracts attention around the world and its natural beauties that fascinate people. With all these aspects, Izmir becomes a place of historical and cultural curiosity. Today, many researches still continue to make deep analisises by addressing the cultural elements of Izmir. Izmir's natural and cultural heritage offers travelers and researchers many things to discover.

We will explain the points you wonder about the natural and cultural heritage of Izmir under the following headings:

• What is the history of Izmir from past to present?
• Which structures come to the fore when the natural and cultural heritage of Izmir is mentioned?
• What are the rising tourism areas in Izmir?

History of Izmir from Past to Present

As it is expressed today, Izmir was named with different but similar names in the past. The foundation of Izmir was in BC dating back to 3000 years. Especially with the execution of commercial activities, Izmir Bay comes to the fore. Since 800 BC, the city has increased its welfare level with these activities. Izmir, which was included in the Roman Empire back in the 130BC, remained in the Eastern Rome after the separation of the empire in 390 AD. In this process, it continued its commercial activities and rose to an important city position.

After the victory won by the Great Seljuks in 1071, Izmir came under Turkish rule. Then, after the Crusades, Izmir passed back to Eastern Rome, and from the 14th century onwards, it was subject to the control of the Turkmen Bey Aydınoğlu Umur Bey. This commercial city, which has served many different civilizations, has become one of the most important port cities of the Eastern Mediterranean since the 17th century.

Izmir in the near history

In the recent history, Izmir was targeted with the Greek occupation of the Aegean Region on May 15, 1919. With the treaties made after Turkish national war, the Aegean Region was liberated from the Greek occupation. For this reason, September 9, 1922 is an important date that expresses the Turkish Army's reentry into Izmir and the end of greek occupation.

Which Buildings Stand Out When Izmir's Natural and Cultural Heritage is mentioned?

This city, which offers its visitors the chance to witness a unique civilization, stands out with its natural and cultural heritage and many structures. Among these structures; There are structures bearing historical and natural traces such as Ephesus, Bergama, the Historical Harbor City, Birgi, Foça and Gediz Delta.

Bergama Multilayered Cultural Landscape Area

In this residential area, which is the capital of the Pergamon Kingdom, there are theatre, library, agora, gymnasium, Athena Temple, Zeus Altar and Dionysus Temple. While visiting this area, it is possible to see the traces of the Hellenistic architecture of the period. This area was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2014.

Ephesus

Ephesus has hosted many civilizations for over 9000 years. At the same time, it has become the center of cultural and commercial activities as a port city among these civilizations. This area consists of four different structures, namely the Ancient City of Ephesus, Virgin Mary, Çukuriçi Höyük and Ayasuluk Hill. Throughout history, it has hosted Roman, Eastern Roman, Ottoman and other Lordships. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015.

Historic Port City

Konak Square and Clock Tower are located in the Historic Harbor City, which was included in UNESCO in 2020. There is also Kemeraltı Bazaar in this region. This bazaar stands out as the oldest and largest open-air bazaar in history.

Birgi

Birgi, which is a part of Ödemiş district, stands out with its 5000-year-old history with its stone houses and wooden windows. It dazzles its visitors not only in terms of culture and history, but also with a lush nature. It is possible to see many tombs, mosques and baths in Birgi. It is temporarily on the UNESCO list.

Foça and Gediz Delta