Duration: Half day
With a population of around 3.7 million, Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey, and boasts the second largest port after Istanbul. Formerly the ancient city of Smyrna, Izmir is now a busy commercial center that rests on a vast bay. With wide thoroughfares, modern buildings, and shopping centers mixed with traditional red-tiled roofs structures, old mosques and churches, it is a rapidly growing city on the Central Aegean coast. Izmir’s composition suggests a Mediterranean Europe city more so than traditional Turkish appearance.
Highlights
The old Greek houses:
Izmir has experienced many earthquakes and fires throughout its history. The old houses, that still survive, are the ones that were built in the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Exposed to a big fire in 1922, which led to the destruction of most of the Greek houses, these remain in ruin to this day.
The Greek Consulate:
Located in the city’s famous Kordon neighborhood, the historic consulate was built in the late 19th century, and is currently in the process of being fortified and restored by the Government of Greece.
The French Consulate
Made of stone, this building is one of the few in Izmir that was built 130 years ago and survives today. A new restoration process to refurbish the sea-facing section of the building occurred in 2010. This restored section of the building is now a contemporary, well-equipped art center.
The old church of St. Polycarpos:
Built in 1625 at the behest of Louis 13th of France, it is the oldest Christian church in Izmir. Dedicated to St. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, who was martyred by Romans in 155 AD at the age of 86, the church was badly damaged during earthquakes and fires in the 17th century, and was restored each time.
The Old Greek School (Evangelical School):
Initially an Orthodox Church-approved institution established in 1733, it became the most important Greek school in the city, attracting major figures of the Modern Greek Enlightenment during the late 19th-early 20th century. Ceasing operations in 1922, the building currently serves as the Turkish Central Girls’ school.
We will then climb on Mount Pagos where we will see the remnants of the castle. The summit where the castle is found is located at a distance of about 2 km from the shoreline and commands a general view of a large part of the city of İzmir, as well as of the Gulf of Izmir.
The Homerion where girls of wealthy Greek families attended.
The building of NATO (formerly the sports center and theatre)
The theater of Smyrna (Greek name of Izmir)
The Ministry of Tourism (former National Bank of Greece),
The old headquarters of Fassoulas