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Konak

İzmir's administrative and trade center, and the newly renovated Main Square and Clock Tower center helps create a perfect meeting point.

Everyday, gathering tens of thousands of people in its square and offering them the blue of the sea and the green of the nature, Konak presents a cultural diversity from the archaic ages untilthe present, including many works remaining from the Ottoman Era.

The Konak Pier which brings together historical texture and modernity is both a prestigious shopping center and one of the perfect places to watch the view of the sunset over the beautiful Gulf of İzmir.

Kemeraltı, the Land of Shopping
İzmir's one of the best known shopping centers is the Historical Kemeraltı Bazaar. Here you can find the mystical vaulted and domed shops of the past, side by side with the contemporary business centers, stores, theaters and cafeteries, with alluring opportunities for all kinds of shopping. This Bazaar is the right place to find all kinds of traditional Turkish handicrafts including ceramic, tiles, wooden works, carpets, kilims and leather goods.

The historical sites found in the Kemeraltı Bazaar are must see structures which is remind us of our history while bringing us to present day. They remain to this day without deterioration and have kept their identities.

One of the big surprises while you are moving through Kemeraltı, is the Abacıoğlu Inn from the 18th century. Two stories of massive stonebuildings with open wide galleries to both sides. To the left you will find a different chamber system of 9 shops, once upon a time used as Yahudihane (Jewish rooms). Abacıoğlu Inn was sidelined on the Jews district, on the Anafartalar Street. In these days there are many little shops, presenting deliciuos Turkish foods, and welcome you for a warm rest, from your shopping.







 

 

 

 

 

Shop and eat under the shadow of history, KIZLARAĞASI INN


Although clear information about the building of Kızlarağası Inn is not available, it is generally known that the construction of this important building was completed around 1745.

One of the significant examples of Ottoman Architecture which has managed to remain intact, Kızlarağası Inn, has a square shape generally found in other Inn's. Inside the building, at the wide rectangular inner court, a traditional fountain and pool once existed.

As with all along historical Inn's, it is built on two stories. At the upper level, for those who wanted to get a rest in solitude, rooms opened to a gallery. At the lower level, however life was the exact opposite to the on upstairs.

Kızlarağası Inn was restorated and put into service as a Bazaar in 1993. You can shop here for a large range of handicrafts, special woven carpets, leather ware and other kinds of gift.

If you want to rest your feet for a short while, you can have a stop at ACI KAHVE, located at the middle of the Inn, to breathe the mystical air while sipping a delicious cup of coffee.

Anatolian Market Culture; HAVRA STREET

Havra Street is an important street of the historical Kemeraltı Bazaar. With fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meats, offered for sale, this street is a very good example of typical "Anatolian Market Culture".
"Havra Street" gets its name from many Synagogues (Havras) built on it.Today this region hosts 9 Synagogues, of which 4 are currently in use.


 


You Must
Drink a cup of Turkish Coffee at the coffee house located in the middle of Kızlarağası Inn. As the saying goes, the memory of a cup of coffee lasts for forty years.Do not miss the chance to inhale the mystical air of history, accompanied by a cup of coffee.


The Breeze of Fashion; MİMAR KEMALETTİN STREET

Within its district architecture, Mimar Kemalettin Street similar to a catwalk in which the textile sector sets the direction for the fashion industry, remains with new trends reflected in the shop windows. Mimar Kemalettin Street, the meeting point of the elite, holds the heartbeat of the textile and fashionindustry.
Basmane - Çankaya, The Center of Hotels
Both Basmane & Çankaya are the districts of the hotels, welcoming all domestic and foreign visitors with all the warmness imaginable. There is a wide range of selection possibilities among all price and comfort levels. You can do all your shopping at Çankaya, where you can also find all kinds of electronic goods, antique, second hand, all kind of merchandising.

The Basmane - Tilkilik side includes hotels, with a very different type of architecture. From the beginning of the settlements, until the modern times. In the middle of the Basmane square you can find also the great Basmane Train Station, a very typical piece of French Architecture from the 19th history.

 



 

Archaic Market Place; AGORA

Located at İzmir's Namazgah district, with its architecture belonging to Roman Era. In archaic times, Agora was the place where political meetings were held and shopping took place. However, the Agora of İzmir is not only a marketplace, but also displays the appearence of a state Agora.

The city experienced great damage during the earthquake in 178 BC. Today's Agora was rebuilt by Emporer Marcus Aurelius through careful and precise attention to all of the details. A large part of the Agora was unearthed by a number of excavations, which continues today. During the last excavation works which are open to public, additionally grafitti works discovered in this Agora are also found to be unique.

The excavations are in progress under the sponsorship of İzmir Governorship, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and the İzmir Chamber of Commerce.

A dream, a prophecy; KADİFEKALE

At a height of 186 meters from sea level, Kadifekale (Pagos Hill) is visible from almost everywhere in the bay and the city. Initially built to play a key role in the defense of the town, Kadifekale functions as the inner castle of the city.

The Hellenistic Era (334 - 331 BC) started by the arrival of Alexander the Great in Anatolia, has created new horizons for İzmir. According to the legends, Alexander the Great falls asleep under a tree, exhausted after a hunting party at Pagos Hill. In his dream, two water fairies named Nemesis whisper to Alexandar's ear "built the new City at Pagos Heights". Following this dream Alexander the Great reestablished the city of İzmir.

 

Watch the sunset; walk towards sunset

İzmir as a sunset city, with a festivity of colors falling into the waters of the Bay, reaching towards the horizon, presents a view well worth watching. The addition of the famous "İmbat", which sooths the heat of the day, more than doubles your pleasures. The sun setting majestically on the sea, with a unique fragrance and people warm and cheerful.There is no better way to experience a city.

In Konak, you can visit İzmir Museum of Archeology, Ethnographical Museum, İzmir Agora Open Air Museum, Republic Museum of Education and Ümran Baradan State Museum for Children.

You Must
Visit Kadifekale and experience the privilege of viewing  İzmir through the eye of a bird. Handmade shoulder bags will be the perfect present and perfect souvenir.


 

İletişim Adresi: Atatürk Cad. No:126 Pasaport 35210 İzmir - Türkiye
Vergi Kimlik Bilgisi: Konak Vergi Dairesi 484 001 5699
Çağrı Merkezi: 90 232 444 92 92 Faks: 90 232 498 46 98
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