DISCOVERING THE HISTORY OF URLA
Explore the history of Urla
Urla's history dates back to 2000 BC, to the ancient city of Klazomenai. The people -Ioninas- living in the region -Ionia- from the Gulf of Izmir to the Gulf of Mandalya on the coasts of the Aegean Sea, have established numerous cities as such.
In Urla, where nature and history come together, the Limantepe Mound in the Iskele District is one of the oldest known ports in the Aegean. The most striking historical evidence here is the Klazomenai Olive Oil Workshop, which was used during the time of the Klazomenai Ancient City. It is the first olive oil production facility in Anatolia and the oldest workshop found in these lands. The present workshop, which was rebuilt according to the archaeological findings, has been open to visitors since 2005.
During the Hellenistic-Roman periods, the mainland was evacuated, and the settlement on Karantina Island became important. The foundations of the walls of villas from this period can be observed underwater in the beach on the east coast of the island. From various archaeological finds, it is estimated that the settlement continued until the 5th century AD.
The Turks' arrival in the Aegean Sea and Izmir dates back to Caka Bey in the 1080s. Izmir was no longer a Byzantine city but a Turkish one. In 1330, Izmir and Urla were included in the territory of the Aydınogullari Principality, and a new settlement was established four kilometers inland from the coast. Old records from the end of the 14th century mention Urla as the Karye Market. Urla has been a marketplace since its inception, with the port and Çeşme being commercial centers. Ottoman rule began in 1390, and Urla developed rapidly in trade. It is understood that there were around 200 shops in the district during this period.
"According to historical records, in the early 16th century, the revenue of the Izmir customs was 80,000 akça and the revenue of the Urla customs was 30,000 akça. These records show that the ports of Izmir and Urla were only involved in commercial activities among Ottoman ports. Maritime trade in Urla began to decline in the late 16th century, as stated by Piri Reis, due to the fact that these waters became a pirate nest. Urla has always held an important place in history. It is observed that artifacts from every period are present in various parts of the district.
01. Towards the Ancient Ionian Road:
The fieldwork of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality to connect six Ionian cities including Klazomenai with a 350-kilometer thematic road will be one of the initiatives that will further increase the importance of Urla.
02. Limantepe
The port facility uncovered in ongoing archaeological excavations in Limantepe in the Urla Pier area is said to be one of the earliest examples investigated in the world. The most significant feature of the archaeological excavation is that it is conducted not only on land but also underwater.
Based on the artifacts found, it is understood that the city was a powerful port city at the center of overseas trade relations from the earliest cultural layers. In the Early Bronze Age II period, the city spread over a much wider area and a new defense wall supported by much more monumental and horseshoe-shaped bastions was built, replacing the previous defense system. Limantepe represents one of the most magnificent settlements in the Aegean in terms of its dimensions and architectural remnants during this period.
03. Klazomenai
Klazomenai Ancient City, one of the 12 Ionian cities, extends from Limantepe to the western slopes of Ayyıldız and Cankurtaran hills. Some of it is on Karantina Island. The olive oil processing facility whose excavation was completed in Klazomenai proves that the technology still used today was first developed in this region 2,600 years ago. Although scattered, the remains carried to the present day by Klazomenai Ancient City are quite rich and worth seeing.
04. Karantina Island (Quarantine Station)
If you want to get some sea air while tracing the past, turn to Karantina Island. During the Ottoman period, to prevent contagious diseases, the French established the first quarantine zone in 1865. It was used for trade and passenger ships and especially for pilgrims coming on the northern pilgrimage route, and was active until 1950. The quarantine station, which was built 150 years ago and where the first intervention was made for deadly diseases, was at the forefront of the most advanced health centers of the period. After 1950, the facility under the Turkish Ministry of Health, was used as the Thlassa Therapy Institute, later in 1960 was transformed into a Bone and Joint Disease Hospital and gained the status of a State Hospital in 1986. Today, international trainings are held on the center
05. Yıldıztepe War Cemetery
The Yıldıztepe War Cemetery, built on a high hill in the İskele Neighborhood, is another place to visit in Urla with its wonderful view. The memorial was established one year after the martyrdom of Captain Kemal Bey, the commander of the 1st Battery, and his assistant Corporal Baki, who were transporting ammunition and artillery batteries from Izmir to Urla in September 1922, and their remains were transferred here.
06. Historical Baths and Mosques
Among the baths in Urla, Hersekzade Ahmet Pasha Bath, which dates back to the 15th century, is located within the urban protected area and is registered as an architectural structure to be preserved. Another building built with the mosque and other details, but now in ruins, is the Kamanlı Bath.
Within the Rüstem Pasha Complex, the Rüstem Pasha Bath, where only four walls and a dome remain, is also waiting to be saved. Only Rüstem Pasha Mosque is still standing. Damaged in the 19th century by a major earthquake, the mosque was later partially repaired using original stones.