İzmir and Çeşme Peninsula * Focus on İzmir Hotels - S&M ...

What to doThere are lots of alternatives for visitingcultural places in the city <strong>and</strong> Cemsepeninsula.Atatürk MuseumThe building is in Izmir, I. Kordon (AtatürkBoulevard) built in between 1875-1880 bya carpet merchant, Takfor, as a resident.It was nationalized after being ab<strong>and</strong>onedby its owner on 9 September 1922. Afterentering Izmir, the T urkish Army used thebuilding as its headquarters.Agora MuseumEtymologically, agora means PublicSquare <strong>and</strong> shopping district. Agora,which has commercial, judicial <strong>and</strong>political functions, is a place where theart activities increase, the background ofphilosophy is laid out <strong>and</strong> where the stoas,monuments, altars <strong>and</strong> statues exist....Archaeology MuseumThe first archaeology museum in İzmir wasopened to the public in 1927 at Ayavukla(Gözlü) Church in Tepecik after thework collection activities of three years.The second archaeology museum wasfounded in 1951 at Culture Park....Birgi Çakırağa MansionIt is one of the rare mansions, whosearchitectural style special to the Aegeanregion could be protected until today....Çeşme MuseumOne of the historical <strong>and</strong> cultural values ofÇeşme District worth seeing is the ÇeşmeFort. Çeşme Fort has been constructedin 1508, during the period of Beyazıt II.It was constructed by Aydın GovernorMir Haydar to Architect Ahmet oğluMehmet....Ethnography MuseumCarpet from Izmir Ethnography MuseumThe building has been constructed in the19th century in neoclassical style, on asloped terrace. This building is known tobe used as a hospital in 1831 (St. RochHospital) <strong>and</strong> to be converted into a carehouse for poor Christian families by beingrepaired by the French in 1845.Culture ParkThere are more than200 precious trees <strong>and</strong>bushes brought fromabroad <strong>and</strong> the numberof the trees reaches8000. Figurativelycalled as the lungs ofİzmir, in the CulturePark every plant hasan identity. 156.000m2 of 421.000 m2 isdotted with green area.Culture Park madegreat contributionsto İzmir’s social <strong>and</strong>cultural life with itsfair ground, runningcourt, open-air theatre,museums, sport center,art centers, weddinghall, restaurants, teahouses, amusementpark, zoo <strong>and</strong>parachute tower.İnciraltı YouthCenterİnciraltı Youth Centeris a new recreationalarea. Here there arecinemas, cafes <strong>and</strong>restaurants, areas forocus on DESTINATIONsport, trekking <strong>and</strong> picnic <strong>and</strong> an artificiallake for touring with a rowboat. The centerattracts the city people with all theseopportunities.Balcova Cable LiftFunctioning since 1974 with its line being1000 m. at length, the cable lift carriesthe visitors for about10 minutes to the hillwhich is 423 m. high.The sport lovers canexperience excitingmoments by paragliding<strong>and</strong> special climbingtracks at the facilitieswhere there are greatopportunities for sport<strong>and</strong> nature lovers.KaragolIt was established onMt. Yamanlar at 810meters height by thebank of a tectonic lakeon 13 hectares areain 1973. The area iscovered by Turkish red pine, black pine<strong>and</strong> willow trees. Daily capacity is 200visitors. Tent can also be set up. Parkinglot for 500 autos, drinking water, buffet,country side restaurant, WC, picnic unitsare available. Distance is 40 kilometers toIzmir. Road is good paved asphalt. It canbe reached by private car only. Entrancefee is charged.GuvendikSituated in Cesmealti, Urla. Area is 15hectares, in a Turkish red pine forest. Ithas an excellent sea view. Daily visitorcapacity is about 500 persons. In thearea, there are WC <strong>and</strong> picnic units.It can be reached by bus from IzmirUçkuyular Terminal to Çeşmealti. Distancefrom Izmir is 55 kilometers. Entrance fee ischarged.16May / June ’09