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Heir to Anatolia's rich historical heritage and natural beauty, Aydın was conquered by the Trallians who founded the city of Tralles here on top of the old city. Known by such descriptive terms as 'Flowered' and 'Mighty', when the city was leveled by an earthquake, the emperor Andronik rebuilt the city and named it Andropolis after himself. After passing into the hands of the Selçuks, the city was called Aydın Güzelhisarı. During the Ottoman empire it was called "Nefs-i Güzel Hisar der Liva-i Aydın."
HOW TO GET
Highway: Aydın and most of the towns are on the E-24 Highway. It is connected by a network of state highways to Izmir to the north, Muğla and Milas to the south and Denizli to the east.
Rail Travel: There is rail transportation available.
Sea Transit: Is provided by the Kuşadası Harbor, the only one in the province.
Air Travel: Capable of accommodating small planes.
ANCIENT CITIES
Nyssa The source of what we know about this Nyssa (Nisa), founded on the slopes of Mount Malgaç north of Sultanhisar in what is now olive groves, is the geographer Strabo. Made up of two parts due to the fact that it was built on a stream, the city was first called Athymbra after the wife of its founder, the Selecuid king Antiochus I. The primary remains are the two-story library built by Aristodem, a native of Nyssa, a water depot belonging to the Hellenistic era, a stadium and bridge from the Roman era, the agora and the necropolis on the Acharaka road.
Alabanda A Carian city whose name comes from a combination of the Carian words for horse (ALA) and victory (BANDA). Remains that can still be seen include the wall fortified with towers, the theater, the senato, the agora and memorial graves. There is also a Roman aqueduct over Kemer Creek to the south. Alaband was known in the ancient world for several crafts peculiar to the city, including crystal, various decorative items made from a hard black stone, fishing nets and rose gardening.
Priene An important episcopal see in the Byzantine era, the ancient city Priene north of Miletus was given a very geometric design of intersecting right angles. The most important structure in the city is the Temple of Athena on top of the hill. In addition, northeast of the city is a 5000 person theater constructed in the Hellenistic era which is definitely worth seeing.
Miletus Located north of Didim, Miletus was a coastal city with 4 ports and one of the most important Ionian settlements. Its golden age was the 7th and 6th centuries BC. During this period thinkers in Miletus were putting down what would become the foundation of Western science and culture. The 5300 person theater built in the Hellenistic era was later added on to by the Romans and had a final seating capacity of 15,000.
Tralles (Tiral) Located only 1 km from Aydın, what we know about the city is limited to what has come down to us from the geographer Strabo. Its first appearance in the historical record is in the 4th century BC during the war of independence waged by the Spartan general Thibron against the Persians. During the Hellenistic era, the city changed hands frequently. In 26 BC, while a part of the Roman Empire, it suffered some damage from an earthquake and was repaired by the Emperor Augustus and renamed Caesarea. From the time that it passed into the hands of the Turks in the 12th century until the present it has been called "three-eyes" among the people. A few remains of the theater to the north and the 'cavea' are about all that remain. Excavations begun in 1997 have uncovered a Roman bath, an arsenal used during the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras and a building thought to have been used for worship in the Byzantine period. All of the items recovered from the site whether from older digs or the more recent ones are on exhibit in the Aydın Museum.
Aphrodisias This city was one of the leading centers of architecture, art, sculpture and worship in the ancient world. The Byzantine write Stephanos places the foundation of the city back to the 13th century BC. This Carian city 12 km southeast of Karacasu experienced its golden age in the Roman era, during which time marble statue and structures of extraordinary beauty were built so much so that a school of art known as the Aphrodisias style was developed.
Archeological research has shown that architecture and sculpture were not the only types of study done in the city but that medicine and astronomy were researched as well. The city's primary structures of interest are the baths built during the reign of Hadrian, the agora with its large fountain, the Temple of Aphrodite built in the 1st century BC, the 30,000 person theater, the theater baths and odeon, the episcopal palace and the school of philosophy. The Museum of Aphrodisias has one of the richest collections found in any local museum in Turkey.
Panionium Located in the town of Davutlar near Kuşadası, it was the center of the Ionian League of antiquity. The Ionians met here to make decisions.
Neopolis Right beside Kuşadası, at a place called Yılancı Burun (Snake Nose). It is the earliest settlement in the area.
Didyma Near the town of Didim, it was the center of prophetic oracles in antiquity. The Temple of Apollon in Didim was planned as a dipteros (having two rows of columns) but was never finished.
Myus Near Didim, an important member of the Ionian League.
Iassos Situated near Didim, this ancient city was famous for its theater dedicated to Dionysos, the god of wine, and the festivals held here. Its music and theatrical productions were well-known throughout the ancient world.
Gerga It is located near Çine. The enormous human statues which have slid off their pedestals and fallen to the ground and the stones which have "Gerga" inscribed on them are particularly interesting.
Alında Located near Karpuzlu, it is the granite city of Queen Ada. Important remains include a theater with 35 rows of seats, a two-story tower, the agora and the city walls.
Mastaura (Mastavra) Close to Nazilli, it was used to be a commercial center which minted money. In the ruins can be seen the city walls, the theater, aqueducts and a few other structures.
Magnesia It is near Ortaklar in Germencik. Because it was the scene of several important events, it is described as the 'city of episodes.' There are the remains of temples to Artemis and Zeus from the 3rd century BC, an agora, baths, a theater, stadium and gymnasium, as well as Byzantine walls.
Orthasia (Ortosi) Near Yenipazar, there is a acropolis on a hill overlooking the Menderes valley.
Nyssa (Nisa) Near Sultanhisar, it was a science and teaching center. The remains of the theater, stadium, gymnasium, agora, library, buluterion and necropolis can still be seen.
Acharaka (Akaraka) In Sultanhisar near the village of Salavatlı, reference is made to a health center here. The Temple of Plutonium and the 'health-giving' water and gases in Charonium cave are also mentioned.
BEACHES
Beaches in the province of Aydın are Tusan, Mocamp, Halk beach, Yılancı Burnu, Karaova, Güzelçamlı, Kalamaki beaches, Odun dock, İlyas Ağa, Nero and Dipheron, Didim Tavşan Burnu, Akbük and Lake Bafa Beach
NATIONAL and NATURAL PARKS
Guzelcamli village, at the northeast edge of the national park and at the foot of Dilek mountain, was used as the assembly place for the political and scientific centre of Ionia in the 9th and 8th centuries BC.
PRESERVED AREAS
Aydın - Bafa Lake
Location: Bafa Lake is in the Soke District of Aydin province, in the Aegean Region.
Transportation: Bafa Lake is at the southeast of the Buyuk Menderes Delta, and 25 km from Soke from where it is easily accessible.
Highlights: The lake, once part of the Aegean Sea, became a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Buyuk Menderes Delta and is in an area of relatively unspoilt beauty. Its main sources are from Buyuk Menderes, and the underground rivers flowing from the surrounding mountains.
Plant life consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The lake protects the ecosystem of the delta, and therefore provides a winter habitat for many species of birds which would otherwise be in danger of extinction: Around 300,000 birds nest here, including pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle and there are 700 kinds of plankton in the lake and a variety of water plants, which encourages many species of fish.
Historical and cultural sites around the lake include the antique city of Heraclia, at the foot of the Besparmak mountains, which has the remains of the Athena Temple, an agora council building, public bath, theatre, and Endymion temple. In order to protect these areas, 12,281 hectares of the park were given the status of Natural Park in 1994.
Aydın - Güney Waterfall (Güney Şelalesi)
Place: Aydın
Characteristics: A waterfall having superior landscape values in its structure
Aydın - Bafa Lake Natural Park
Location: The Bafa Lake Natural Park takes place within the borders of Söke District of Aydın Province in Aegean Region.
Transportation: The Bafa Lake is at the south-east of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) Delta, and 25 km far away from the Söke District. It is possible to reach to the park overland route.
Highlights: The Bafa Lake, which used to be a part of Aegean Sea, had turned to be a lake as result of geomorphologic development of Great Menderes Delta. Bafa Lake is one of the least spoiled watery areas at the shore, in Turkey. The maximum depth of the Bafa Lake reaches to 25 meters. The main water sources of the Bafa Lake are the water floods of Great Menderes (Büyük Menderes) River, and the underground waters coming from the mountains at the environment.
The plant cover around lake consists of tamarisks, pine trees, and olive groves. The Bafa Lake shelters the ecosystem characteristics of Great Menderes delta. Because of that reason it provides a winter quarter and a place for reproduction for many bird species which are under the danger of vanishing.
The main bird species in the Bafa Lake Natural Park are pelican, dwarf cormorant and sea eagle. The Park provides a winter quarter for more than 300.000 different bird species.
There are 700 kinds of plankton in the Lake, and a variety of water plants. This causes many fish species to live in the lake. As the cultural and historical values of the Bafa Lake; Heraclia Antic City takes place within the borders of the Lake, at the south west foot of Beşparmak Mountains. In the Antic City there are many historical buildings; these are Athena Temple, an Agora, Council Building, Public Bath, Theatre, Nymphaion (fountain building), and Endymion Temple.
Facililities: In the park; a visitor centre, a camping area, places for daily use and picnic, walking and trekking footpaths, and bird - watching stations will be available.
THERMAL SPRINGS
Underground river The rich boat-shaped valley formed by the numerous springs of the Menderes Watershed which flows down to the Aegean from heights of up to 900 m. also has abundant underground water supplies. There are 262 villages with artesian wells in the province of Aydın.
Alan Güllü Thermal Springs At Bozköy near Germencik, the springs have facilities which include an indoor thermal pool approved by the municipality and 32 rooms with 70 beds. In addition, there are modern treatment and accommodation facilities, in what has become one of the biggest and most modern thermal springs in the area.
HIGHLANDS
The highland villages most worth of a visit are Paşa Highland, Kahvederesi Highland, Necippazar Highland, Bulgurlu , Sarıcaova, Ömür, Madran, Korumaz Highland and Kavşit Highland.
CAVES OF AYDIN
Karaca Cave
Location: Aydın, Kuşadası District
Properties: It is a passive cave. As the cave is passive, there is no rivers or creeks present inside the cave. But the waters dripping from the cracks helped the formation of various damlataş (drop - shaped precious stone) forms. There are also some travertine pools and a few small lakes present inside the cave. There is no significant air flow inside the cave. The moisture level of the cave atmosphere tends to increase relatively as proceeded t-inside the cave.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES
The best place for nature walks and hiking is the region from Dilek Peninsula and continues through Karina to the Büyük Menderes river delta and Lake Bafa. When one remembers that there is a golf course at Söke, which is right in the middle of this area, this could well be seen as the provincial center for recreation and sports activities. Other potential places are Paşa Highland, Karacasu Highland and Madran Highland. Nature walks can be taken from Aphrodisias to Baba Mountain and along these routes as well: Karacasu to Dandalas Highland, Aydın to Paşa Highland, Çine to Madran Highland and Güzelçamlı to Karina. Güzelçamlı-Dilek Peninsula and Didim - Akbük are good places for bicycle riding. There is sports fishing in Lake Bafa and hunting in the village of Bozdoğan Alamut.
GEOGRAPHY
Affected by the Mediterranean climate, the rainy season is winter and snow is rarely seen. Aydın is open to the winds coming in off the sea from the west. In the summertime it practically never rains.
HISTORY
Aydın was founded by the Trallians and known as Tralles. After being destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt, it was controlled by the Spartans, Hittites, Phrygians, Ionians, Lydians, Persians and Romans, all of whom brought their own culture and contributed to the development of the region.
WHERE TO EAT
Recommended local foods include the famous figs, grapes and grape wines, citrus fruits, bitter orange jelly and the rich seafood cuisine such as bream, mullet, red sea bream and red mullet.
WHAT TO BUY
Gift items available in the region include carpets, rugs, leather clothing and jewelry.
DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT
-Visiting the ancient city of Aphrodisias
-Watching the Golden Pigeon races at Kuşadası
-Tasting the exquisite olive oil dishes unique to the Aegean and the delicious figs, fabulous grapes and grape wines and the wide variety of citrus fruits.
-Purchasing some of the bitter orange jelly.
-Trying the delicious seafood: bream, mullet, red sea bream and red mullet
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