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The early settlements in Kusadasi is by the Lelegians
and Carians who moved from the central Anatolia around
the year of 3000BC. They were the establishers of a
colony on the skirts of Pilav Mountain in Kusadasi, and
founded the cities Ania and Melia. Mild climate allowed
the inhabitants to grow essential products such as olive,
grape and figs for extracting oil or making wine and
sweets on the fertile lands around the city.
In
the 10th century BC "12 Ionian Cities "-Samos, Khios,
Miletos, Priene, Ephesus, Teos, Erythrai, Priena,
Klazonemi, Lebedos, Phokaia, Colophon, Smyrna, were
established and reputed for the most developed cities
of that age. Asthe annual meeting place of the Ionian
League, Panionian, was founded around Kusadasi; the
cities of Phygale, Marathesion and Neopolis were
established within the borders of the city. During the
period, the ports of Phygale and Neopolis were not busy
and necessary, as they were close to the famous trading
centers and ports, Miletos and Ephesus.
The city was invaded by Persians around the year of
546BC. In 200BC Kusadasi and its environs were dominated
by the Roman Empire, and with the division of the Roman
Empire, became a state of Byzantine. As the changes in
climate caused serious earthquakes and changed the route
of Caystros River, Ephesus was mostly destroyed and lost
its prior importance and prosperity. The result had
forced Byzantines to search for a new port and a new
road that would be suitable for trading. The area around
Neopolis was found convenient by the Greek, Jewish, and
Armenian merchants as a port in place of the port of
Ephesus. "Scala Nova" was the name of this new
port which added a new trading center to the prior
historical cities such as Ania, Melia, Phygale and
Neopolis, that have created the early foundations of
today's Kusadasi. By the coming of the 15th century, "Scala
Nova" was under the domination of the Venetian and
Genoese sailors and traders who established consulates
here.
The
Turkish domination in the area entered upon the invasion
of Seljukian Kilic Arslan the 2nd. The advantageous
position of Kusadasi as its being at the end of the
important trade roads such as Silk Road -once held by
Ephesus, influenced the development of the city in
trading, positively.
Kusadasi began to be ruled by the Ottoman Empire after
the invasion of Sultan Mehmet Celebi in the year of
1413. During the reign of Ottomans, Kusadasi was
introduced to glorious structures, giving a new look to
its former spectacular view. Okuz Mehmet Pasa
Caravanserai is the principal of Ottoman architecture in
the city, was built by the man of the same name, who was
the vizier during the reigns of Sultan Ahmet1 and
Osman2. The fortress gates &walls and many mosques in
the center of Kusadasi, as well as the citadel of the
castle in Pigeon Island, were built in the Ottoman
period, reflecting the architectural style of the era. "Kusadasi
" that means "bird island" took its name from the Pigeon
Island.
After the First World War, Kusadasi was invaded by the
Greeks (1919). The city won a long struggle for in 1922
and became a part of Turkish Republic. Izmir was the
capital of Kusadasi until 1954. Then the capital was
changed to Aydin and the city of Kusadasi has shown a
good deal of development, especially in tourism.
Today, Kusadasi is one of Turkey's most sophisticated
holiday centers; a perfect place for vacation with its
sandy beaches and glassy water. The contrast of the
lively holiday life with the quietness of ancient ruins
create the special atmosphere of the city.
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