If you are close and interested in the history of the life of ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and you want to get to know the ancient culture of those times better, then a tour of Izmir is exactly what you need. An amazing adventure awaits you in the city itself, you will touch the heritage of Smyrna and understand why bloody wars were fought for the city more than once and how soldiers spent their free time after battles. You will also learn about the intricacies of trade and the economy of this legendary place. But how will the tour itself take place and what is its program? What is better to take with you and how long will your trip take? You will learn all these subtleties and details by reading this article.
Brief description of Izmir and its history
The city is considered one of the largest places in Turkey (it is the third largest), located on the coast of the Aegean Sea. The most legendary and visited attraction here are the remains of the castle of Alexander the Great, as tourists are so eager to see them. Izmir or Smyrna, as it was called in ancient times, surprisingly combines both modern industrial and tourist duration, as well as many historical attractions, which everyone who got on this excursion will definitely want to look at. The ruins of ancient Troy, for which the legendary war between the Trojans and the Greeks was waged, have been preserved here, and historical monuments located right on the streets make you immerse yourself in the mysterious atmosphere of this ancient place.
The name "Smyrna" itself means "queen of the Amazons". According to legend, it was she who founded the first settlement here together with the Greek gods: Zeus and Tes. The first mention of it as a city begins around the 5th century BC, when it was captured by Ionian troops, and then almost razed to the ground. It was restored and rebuilt by Alexander the Great himself, who made it not only the main trade hub, but filled it with educational centers and cultural values.
What is included in the program of this excursion?
Your journey will begin from the very center of the city, namely the huge clock tower, along which you will walk through the places where the central bazaar of Smyrna used to be. According to historical data, absolutely everything was traded at this bazaar, from valuable silks and fabrics to slaves and concubines, which noble sheikhs of the Ottoman Empire bought for their harems. You will be told in more detail how trade was carried out and what coins were used in different eras, and then their samples will be shown to museums more clearly.
Next, you will be taken to the Agora of Smyrna, where all the political and religious events of the city used to take place, as well as various celebrations and receptions. Then you will see and enter the impregnable fortress of Kadifekale, where you will be told about the main monument built in honor of the commander Alexander the Great, who exalted this city above the others. And finally, you will be offered a ride on a ferry so that you can observe the city while on the water and enjoy its views and nature. During the excursion, you will also be offered to stop at a Turkish restaurant, where they serve excellent grilled meat and fish in the best traditions of local cuisine.
Cost of travel and what to take with you
The trip itself, including the excursion, will take you almost the entire day (you will return to the hotel by about 17.00:70) and will cost adults about 12 dollars. For children under 50, it will cost less (about 3 dollars per child). Despite the rather long trip, the excursion is not tiring, since the city itself is located between the hills and it is rarely very hot here. There is a pleasant shade almost everywhere, and the Russian-speaking guide himself always tries to take care of your health, letting you rest and wander around the city yourself, so that you can take photos and buy souvenirs or goodies. The only thing that is always advised to take on such trips is water. Of course, you can buy everything in the city, but it is better to spend extra money on entering the museum in Agora, which is paid additionally (about XNUMX dollars per person).
