ABOUT KUSADASI

Kusadasi, one of Turkey's principle holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey- 90 km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputed for one of the most attractive city of the Aegean, as it is close to the important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos -the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers.

Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season. The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year. Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm & clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volley are only a few choices for the lovers of active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset.

As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants through the palm-lined boulevard get busier. It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships with accompanience of the panoramic view of the sunset, on a pre-drink before the dinner. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood & fish and Aegean specialties, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertaining at a lively bar or a disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

According to the latest datum in 1995, the number of inhabitants in Kusadasi is about 50000. The population, consisting 99% Turks, increases rapidly with the beginning of the tourism season. The city has shown a rapid development an incredible growth since from the 1970's, with the introducing of tourism.

The Kusadasi Setur Marina is one of the largest and best equipped marinas in Turkey with the capacity of 629 yachts both a float and on shore, visited between 2500-3000 boats each year. The marina is on the latitude of 37 52' 20''N and on the longitude of 27 15' 46''E. Custom, repair service, security are some of the 24 hour services in the marina.

Apart from the great historical beauties around Kusadasi, the city is also preserves excellent examples of Ottoman and Turkish mosques, located in the centum. "The Fortress Mosque", built by the vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasa in the 17th century, is the most impressing and monumental mosque in Kusadasi. Constructed in the area of 1800 m2, the mosque has 550 person capacities. The main part of mosque is square-planned and covered by a large leaden dome- with the supports of 12 arches.

Inner part of the dome is ornamented by geometrical designs and plant motives. The entrance door exemplifies the best of wood- working of Ottoman, decorated with mother of pearl. Between the 16 stained-glass windows, are the oil paintings decorated with Ion styled columns. "The Hanim Mosque" was constructed in1658 in the name of Haci Hatice Hatun, but was destroyed in 1922. The mosque was rebuilt by the inhabitants of Kusadasi between the years of 1951-57.

The foundation walls of the minaret belong to the original construction. The simply decorated mosque is surrounded by a leaden dome. "Haci Ibrahim Mosque" exemplifies a different 17 century style of Ottoman architecture. The wooden ceiling of rectangular planned mosque is covered by roof tiles. "The Turkmen Mosque" and "The Camiatik Mosque" are the other sights located inside the center of Kusadasi, in different districts.