The city of Kusadasi on the Aegean coast of Turkey is known as a port for cruise ships and a beach resort. The history of Kusadasa began long before, in the II century. to n. e. the ancient Romans came to Asia Minor . Back in the XI century. before the dawn of the new era, the ancient Greek tribes, and then the Ionians, established their settlements on the coast of the Aegean Sea. The main trade center of that era was, of course, Ephesus , but Kusadasi also played a prominent role in shipping of local importance. The city flourished after the decline of Ephesus in the era of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. At the beginning of the 15th century the Ottomans came here and the Muslim era beganin the history of the city. Each period has left its still visible mark, and there is something to see at the resort. In Kusadasi and its surroundings, fans of the history of the ancient world will be interested in ancient ruins, and those who came to enjoy modernity will find water parks, shopping centers, entertainment facilities and restaurants with the best dishes of Mediterranean cuisine.
Sights of Kusadasi
Kusadasi embankment
Seaside resorts differ from ordinary cities in that they have a promenade – a pedestrian zone where you can take walks in the sunset, show off a fresh tan, make acquaintances and admire the surroundings. On the promenade in Kusadasi, you can look at the cruise liners moored in the port and their passengers disembarking in anticipation of a meeting with local sights.
Along the embankment, which stretches for two and a half kilometers, there are historical buildings, restored and renovated with great love. They have open cafes and restaurants where the tables are never empty. At one end of the promenade there is a parking lot for yachts Setur Marina , where you will find not only cafes and boutiques, but also tennis courts and a swimming pool. The Scala Nuova shopping center is adjacent to the pier, which receives cruise ships . There you can buy souvenirs or gifts for friends, drink coffee, have dinner and entertain the younger generation in game halls with attractions.
Kusadasi Pigeon Island
An excursion to Pigeon Island is a great alternative to a lazy day at the beach. During the walk, you will not only look at Kusadasi from the sea, but also get acquainted with the ancient history of the city and its surroundings.
A fortress was built on the island of Guverjin back in the Middle Ages, which had the task of defending the approaches to the city from the water. Once the fort could not stand, and it was captured by pirates led by the formidable Barbarossa . Since then, the fortress on Pigeon Island has been nicknamed the pirate castle. For many years, sea robbers stored looted treasures and kept prisoners in the fortress.
Today, a small museum of local history has been opened in the fortress and there is a restaurant with national Turkish cuisine. Pirate-style schooners ply from the Kusadasi pier, on which you can take an exciting sea trip. And the island was called Golubyn because of the huge number of birds that once inhabited this piece of land. Now only the name remains of bird markets.
Okuz Mehmed Pasha Mosque in Kuschydasy
In 1618, two magnificent buildings appeared in Kuşadası, with which Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha – an outstanding military and statesman of the Ottoman Empire – marked his reign. During his governorship in Western Anatolia, a mosque was built in Kusadasi, which can be seen today in the city market.
The mosque was built in full accordance with the traditions of Muslim architecture. The octagonal foundation of the building covers the dome, the only minaret with a balcony for the muezzin rises several tens of meters, and the entrance to the prayer hall is decorated with glass doors with mother-of-pearl inlays.
Caravanserai Okuz Mehmed Pasha
The second landmark of Kusadasi, built by order of the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, welcomes guests today as a luxury hotel next to the city pier. But in 1618 it was a caravanserai built to popularize and develop trade with neighboring countries, which the Turks began to actively conduct. The seaport of Kusadasi was gradually transformed into an economic center on the Aegean Sea, and a new “hotel” for arriving merchants was necessary.
The caravanserai was a classic example of an institution where you could spend the night, rest and at the same time feel relatively safe. The perimeter of the fortress structure had the shape of a rectangle, measuring 18.5×21.5 m. It was possible to get into the closed courtyard with a fountain only through the premises of the caravanserai – there was no through passage from the outside. The outer walls of the building were crowned with prongs, behind which the guards defending the caravanserai could hide. All these precautions made the old hotel a safe place for those carrying valuable goods and for wealthy pilgrims.
In the 90s of the last century, the Okuz Mehmed Pasha caravanserai was restored and a hotel was opened in it. The Club Caravanserail Hotel is very popular with wealthy travelers, and everyone can buy a ticket for folklore performances held in the hotel yard in the evenings. The program includes belly dance, national-style snacks and other Turkish entertainment.
The Poseidon Fountain in Kusadasi
Despite the relative youth of this landmark of Kusadasi, it is very similar to an ancient building. The Poseidon Fountain appeared at the resort in 2014, but its construction used fragments of ancient Greek statues found during excavations in the nearby city of Ephesus.
The pool of the fountain is decorated with a sculptural composition in which ancient Greek gods participate. The main character of the fountain is the god Poseidon, who was one of the three supreme gods among the Greeks. The bowl of the fountain is surrounded by sculptural images of other inhabitants of ancient Olympus:
- Zeus , who was known to the whole world and was the god of thunder, lightning and the sky. According to the Greeks, Zeus was the father of all people on Earth.
- Nereus , a righteous old man who personified the calm depth of the sea and guaranteed safe sailing to those who went out to sea.
- Oceanus is a deity symbolizing the world river that gives rise to all springs. Homer called the Ocean the beginning of all things.
- Proteus , the former son of Poseidon, who had the gift of predicting fate.
Poseidon stands on a carved marble pedestal and rests on a trident. The base of the pedestal is decorated with bas-reliefs with floral ornaments and angels. Streams of water fall from the mouths of divine characters.
Aquapark Adaland
The largest water park in the country and one of the largest in the world is built 5 km north of the resort. On its territory you will find a couple of closed slides, high-speed descents, the names of which – “Racer” and “Kamikaze” – speak for themselves, several pools for children and adults, a jacuzzi area, a river for rafting and a safari park.
Many large and small pools, canals connecting them, bridges over rivers and streams, turrets and fairy-tale castles make the atmosphere of the water park ideal for recreation with children of all ages. In the park there will be frog pools for the little ones, diving boards for those who are older and braver, slides on which you can develop a very significant speed, and places for lazy rest if you are not a fan of extremes.
You can spend the whole day in the water park, since there are cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops and vending machines selling chilled drinks on its territory.
Changing rooms, showers, sunbeds and umbrellas, parking and all attractions, except rafting, can be used free of charge on the territory of the water park.
The park is open: in May-September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission price: children from 4 to 9 years – 17 euros, from 10 years and older – 24 euros.
Dolphinarium in Kushidasi
Next to the largest water park in the country, there was an open dolphinarium, where visitors can watch a show every day with the participation of tailed artists – dolphins, seals and sea lions. Comfortable tribunes are located on one side of the pool, and on the opposite side – a stage where the trainer is located during the presentation. All participants of the performance work with great desire and inspiration, and therefore the show is very popular among tourists.
Marine Park “Adaland”
There is a marine park in the entertainment area “Adaland” in Kusadasi, where everyone can swim with dolphins, feed and even pet stingrays, use special protective equipment to dive to the bottom of the pool with sharks, see crocodiles and learn everything about their preferences, habits and conditions residence.
The marine park rents out special suits for safe communication with its inhabitants. By renting a mask and flippers, you can look at the underwater inhabitants of the Aegean Sea in Kusadasi.
Dilek Park and the Cave of Zeus
Dilek National Park, 18 km south of the resort, is a great place where you can take a break from the Turkish heat and spend time surrounded by untouched nature and non-man-made monuments. The most famous from the list is the Cave of Zeus. The entrance to it is hidden in the bushes, but you will find it thanks to the olive ” tree of wishes “, on the branches of which it is customary to tie ribbons.
Legend has it that Zeus spent time with young girls in the cave, which is easy to believe after seeing a beautiful natural lake with mineral water.
The easiest way to get to the Cave of Zeus is from the village of Guzelchamly , where local dolmushes will gladly take you there.
Fountain of Trajan in Kushidasi
At the beginning of the 2nd century of the new era, a fountain dedicated to the Roman emperor Trajan was built in Ephesus near Kusadasa. Like all similar structures dating back to the era of the Roman Empire, the fountain looked majestic and monumental, as evidenced even by the surviving ruins.