Sunday, 5 July 2009
Usak province situated in the central Aegean, offers visitors exquisite historical artifacts and natural wonders.
Surrounded by provinces of Denizli, Afyon, Kutahya and Manisa, Usak is only a three-hour ride away from Izmir.
First settlements in Usak date back to as early as 4,000 B.C. Though Hittites and later Phrygians reigned over this land, the city mainly carries traces of the Ionian civilization which ruled over this region after the 7th Century B.C.
The traces of the Lydian kingdom of the Ionian civilization, the first to introduce the use of gold and silver coins in history, which reigned in the region until 546 B.C., can be seen in the historical artifacts around the city.
Major artifacts from this era are displayed in the Usak archeology museum. This museum also houses the legendary treasure of the Lydian King Croesus. Visitors will get the chance to view the 300 select pieces of King Croesus's treasure consisting of 450 items.
Many historic structures from the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires can also be seen in Usak.
The ancient city of Akmonia which is situated in the Ahat village of the Banaz district which is 30 minutes away from Usak is among the historical sites worth visiting. The ancient city which dates back to the Roman era offers an amusing atmosphere for visitors with its mosaic designs.
The ancient city of Sebaste situated in the Sivasli district is another historic site worth visiting.
The Ulubey district, at a distance of a 40 minute ride from the city center of Usak, is home to the largest canyon in the world after the "Great Canyon" in the United States. Ulubey Canyon which is 73 kms in length, is one of the most interesting natural wonders in Usak.
Another site of touristic attraction in the Ulubey district is the ancient city of Blandus. Visitors will get a chance to see the mint, temple, amphitheatre, stadium, the gate, city walls and administrative buildings that are still intact.
The Clandras Bridge in the Karahalli district which is 35 kms away from the Usak city center which dates back to 150 B.C. is believed to be constructed to provide access to the ancient Phrygian town of Pepuza, which was believed to be the headquarters of Montanism. Archeologists from the United States and Germany are working in the area to prove this thesis.
-AYDIN-
Aydin, one of the major tourism centers of Turkey, is a crossing route for vacationers. Visitors may start their tour of Aydin -where many prominent scholars, architects and sculptors of the antiquity were trained- from the ancient city of Tralleis.
The coastal resort town of Kusadasi, was one of the earliest centers of touristic attraction in Turkey.
Vacationers can enjoy the blue-flagged beaches of Pigale, Kadinlar Denizi, Guvercinada, Yavansu and Aslanburnu or they may go rafting in the largest aquapark of Europe.
Kusadasi is a resort town that appeal to everyone with its sea and sun, bazaar, castle, clubs and hotels.
Another site worth visiting is the Guzelcamli Natural Park, where the cool breeze of the forests meet the hot sands of the beach. This park covers three separate bays.
Another coastal resort town in the region is Didim. Altinkum beach with its 53 kms long coast is one of the best spots to watch the sunset.
Didim is also home to the Temple of Apollo, which is the third largest temple of the antiquity and architectural twin of the Artemis Temple, which is one of the seven wonders of the world.
