History Of Kusadasi

HISTORY OF KUSADASI Although it is not known exactly when and by whom the city was founded, it is thought that is was first built where it is today called "Yılancı Burnu" near KUSADASI, by the lonians named as "Neopolis"and bound to Ephesus. The city it self, was situated at the place called "Andiz" tower which was on the lower slopes of hill, as a province of Byzantium, but shortly after. The Genoeses and the Venetians economically dominated it. Because of transportation difficulties, the city was moved from Andiz Tower to its today's place and was called the new harbour. Getting its name from the city, the KUSADASI bat and its surroundings are know as the art and culture centers of various civilisations since ancient times. In 3000 B.C Lelegs. In the 9 th Century B.C the lonians who were merchantes and the sailors soon become rich with trade overseas and gained political power. They founded twelve cities called "Lonion Colanies". In the ancient times, KUSADASI was one of the main harbours Anatolia opened to the Mediterranean Sea. It was called "Neopolis" then. In the 7 Th Century B.C Lydians dominated the city and called their capital Sardes. In 546 B.C Persians dominated the city until the Macedonian? Kinf Great Alexander's invasion of the whole Anatolia, in 33 B.C With this invasion a new era in art and culture started as the resulf of the mixture of Greek civilisation. This era is called "Hellenistic Age" Ephesus, Milethos, Priene, Didyma were the most famous cities of the period. In the 2 N.D century B.C Romans conquered the city. During the first years of Christianity, as the Virgin Mary and St.John settled in Ephesus, the region became a religious center. In the Christianity period, Milethos was a Bishopric Center, and called as "Ania" in the Byzantium Period. In the middle ages, KUSADASI was a harbour used by the pirates. In the 15 th Century, it was called "Scala Nuova" under the domination of the Venetians and the Geneoses. With Kılıç Arslan the 2 invasion in 1186, the city became a part of the Selçuk State under the Turkish domination. It became an and-point of the land -trade roads open to the Aegean Sea for exportation. With the fall of the Selçuk State, the Convention are started and the Aydınoğulları Convention dominated the region until the Ottomans domination in the 15 th, 16 th century. In 1413, KUSADASI became a part of the Ottoman territory by Sultan Mehmet Çelebi. Then it remained Turkish and many Turkish and many Turkish buildings were built in the city. Ox Mehmet Pasha built today's Caravanserai and city walls. Before there were three gates to the city which was surrounded with walls. Today one of three separates the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Streat and the top of it is as the regional traffic city office. The other two gates are not present today. The isle was a sea patrol for the security of the shores. The Ottomans and the Venetions used Guvercin Ada (Pigeon Island) as an important military base of the city. In 1834 it was repaired and this famous citadel was built. The name of KUSADASI comes from this citadel. Until 1954, the capital of the province was İzmir. With the change of the capital to Aydın it advanced rapidly. The city is 264 km2 and the population is about 40.000 MOSQUE INSIDE CASTLE It is in the bazaar. The Vizier Ox Mehmed Pasha built it in 1618. After him, it is called Ox Mehmed Pasha. It was restored in 1830. The last row for public is wooden. The single galleried minaret is on the right. The mosque door has geometric figures and is inlaid with mather of pearl. It is covered with a dome built on a 12-edged frame with 16 windows ...
THE OKUZ MEHMED PASHA CARAVANSERAIL It is near the port of KUSADASI. It was built by the vizier Ox Mehmed Pasha and was restored 1966. It is an Ottoman Castle built for sea trade. The courtyard has 8.50 x 21.60 m. dim. It is surrounded by a two storied porched in door area. There are two stairs to upper floor, one to the north - west, the other to the Southeast comers. The entrance of the caravanserai is in the north. The marble gate is 2.96 m. wide and has a low arch way. The door looks simple. There are two archways one on the right and the other one the left leading to the middle section. As the left one has a small backdoor, it is thought that is was used as the left luggage place. The right one was probably the guardian's, who took care of incoming and outgoing. After digging, a fountain was found in the middle and was restored as a pool. There is a room behind each cross vault porch surrounding the courtyard. There are five places and cupboards of various sizes in each room. The caravanserai is covered with noticeable marks on the north surface. To prevent possible attacks from the sea northwest and south -west sides were supported more. As the north side was take in to consideration together with the outer doors, it was thought as the most important place of defence. There is a gate opening to the bazaar if the town in the east of the caravanserai. KADIKALE It is on a small road on the 10 km. from KUSADASI to Davutlar Road. It was used by the Venetians and the Byzantine and was partially restored in 1976. PANIONION It is within the border of Davutlar -Guzelçamlı Road only few meters inwards from the road. It was the capital of the 12 cities of lonian Federation. This is where the ceremonies and celebrations took place. PHYGALE It is a small town about 3 km. to the north of KUSADASI. It is on the promontory next to Kuştur Holiday Premises. Agamemnon built it. There is no remarkable ruin left.