Before Jesus, in the years of 2000, firstly people coming from Lelek, Karia, Lidya had settled down as a society to the slopes of Pilav Mountain.

Then one by one with the unit settlements Pigale, Maratheson, Neopolis, Panionion; Ions and later Romans by Ephesus’ coming into the dominance of Rome, had lived in these lands.

Today’s Kusadasi is founded in 16th century by Venetians being a colony. The castle in small island was built for the purpose of observation in Byzantium term. In the Middle Ages, Kusadasi, being a part, was used by Venetians and Genoeses which had taken the name of Scala Nuova.

The city was surrounded by castle walls for being protected from the violence of pirates. it’s known that there’s an Ionion Region of Kusadasi. This had taken an important harbour mission on Asia-Europe trade road throughout long years.

In the period of Scala Nuova time, the Armenians dominant to trade, Greeks, Jews had joined to former nations. Turks with the Malazgirt War in 1071 had started to spread on Anatolia and during the process of Turkish principalities’ formation, in 1304 Sir Sasa had been the authority of Kusadasi and around. Sir Mehmet had connected this vicinity to Aydinogullari with Sasa’s dying.

Kusadasi is a harbour town and Turks had beared this in mind. Although they were from Middle Asia source and far away from maritime business, they had learnt maritime as well as the Ephesus’ in a short time. They had lived comfortably with the spoils they caught at sea wars. Kilic Aslan had added this place to Selcuklu Goverment and Scala Nuova again had become the exportation gate of Anatolia in 1186. Yildirim Beyazit had joined Ayasulug to his principalities and in this way the city had been Ottoman’s in the year of 1390. Timur had decided to take the whole Anatolia under his sovereign but when he could not take Ayasulug, he had fired the castle in which Ottoman soldiers resisted himself. And St. Jean Church had damaged from this event very badly. By I. Celebi Mehmet Kusadasi had gathered to Ottoman’s and it had become a district.

With the vicinities’ passing to Ottoman, Turks had entered to societies in these places. At the end of 1st World War, Ottoman Government had overcome, so Kusadasi had given to Italians, and because of this, Italians had added to Turks, Greeks, Jews, Armenians. All these minorities had left our country on 7th September in 1923 with the winning of independence war, and later connecting to remaining nation, the mixture bringing by the exchange way, a new society had formed, and with the treasure lands from Guzelcamli to Selcuk, the estates of Greeks which went had given to these immigrants in return to their properties there Afterwards some of the Turks came to Anatolia had gone back to places they came again, but this migration had repeated of the 2. World War. This migration had taken place since 1941 to 1955 and thus today’s people of Kusadasi had started to form rapidly. Kusadasi living parallel to Ephesus in history and the settlement units around it and the places that have historical and touristical value are those;

  PANIONION AGORA

People of Ephesus believed that they could reach better trade, superior art, more wonderful land processing by knowledge trade they would make with their neighbour. They persuaded the whole “Ion” cities to form a confederation with the contacts that had been made by them.

Combining Ephesus, Samos, Khos, Miletos, Kolosan, Miyus, Priene, Lebedos, Klazomenai, Eryli and later Smryna (12 Ion city) a confederation was established. THIS, IN ONE SENSE, WAS THE FIRST UNITED NATIONS COMMUNITY OF THE WORLD. The members of this unit which was formed of this cities, would carry of the findings and knowledge that they got from science, art, trade, agriculture, maritime trade and they would have made their religious ceremonies in which they would offer vows to their holly God Poseidon.

There was a place on the north of Mykale (Samson) Mountain. This land belonged to Ephesus’, Samos’, at the end of the shore tape, there was a land belonging to Priene’, above this land, they found a place appropriate for this unit. This was told in an inscription found in the church of Guzelcamli. Here, in general, after the harvest time, federation members made meetings. They gave conferences about the problems of their city’s development, agriculture, trade, art, navigation and they did knowledge trade at these assemblies.

Panionion was at the same time a prediction centre in which religious ceremonies were arranged to the name of God Poseidon. Panionion, was in Priene’s lands and under its management. In the year 1913, German researcher Thwegand, had studied in this region, he had found the prop walls which were in a circle style and on the St. Ilias hill, its name is now Otomatik Hill. He had proved that there had been an ancient settlement there. On the west side of the wall, there was a construction formed from 8 steps had been attracted attention of the researchers.

In the investigation that Wiegand made, such a settlement unit had been found in Panionion which was a meeting place. Considering another researcher J. Keil, the other settlement unit had been found in Guzelcamli’s 300 meter south-east. This place was opened to sea on the south-east and on the top point of the valley, also this unit was protected itself being lively till the Christian term.

Again according to other researchers, Panionion was in the lands of Melia ancient city. And Mykale was living with itself closely because of the mountains, Yolvermez rocky place. Ceramics pieces belonging to Melia ancient city are caught at sides even today. It’s still possible to see the castle wall remnants formed of out of order stones that surround the hill on the west of Guzelcamli. This wall is in the border of Panionion, and belong to Karia construction art. For this reason, it’s real that it can be the remnant of Melia ancient city’s rampart walls.

Federation members, artists, lecturers, spectators, farmers who would exhibit their goods, producers, widely travelled priests started to come Panionion before months for the art demonstrations and religious ceremonies that would continue many days. In the period of preparing these shows and throughout the show Anias, Melias, Ephesus, slaves set free, Prienes in Panionion later had settled down to these lands and had formed the first nations of Davutlar and Guzelcamli. At their free times, what is left over from fair, they had become exerts in raising olive, grape, fig and other fruits and vegetables in these fertile lands.

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION OF THE WORLD HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED IN KUSADASI. Ephesus people had wanted these ceremonies to be made in a place near by Ephesus because they insisted on the subject that the meeting in Panionion could not be done in security for the political disorder which Anatolia was in at 5th century before Christ.

9 Governments had adapted to this invitation, 3 had declared that they couldn’t join. According to Diotoros; thus Ion unity had broken down. The first political and social mistakes had started at Ion history too. Also at the term which Pers were dominant in Anatolia, Ion union activities had been stopped, Panionion festivals had started again with the Great Alexander’s driving back Pers from Anatolia (before Christ 334). But the festival which Ions arranged for the honour of Alexander at Erythrai city near by Cesme had reduced the majesty of Panionion and the old bright days hadn’t been a way of living once more after Alexander.

Pigeon Island

     Pigeon Island, with its gleaming image, really deserves to be symbol of Kusadasi. The eye-catching view of the island, uniting with the panoramic colors of sunset attract every visitors. As the island was much-frequented place of birds during the seasonal migrations, it was named as Bird Island.

In the times of Ottomans, the name of the island was given to the town and the town was started to be called as "Kusadasi" (Bird Island). Since then, the name of the island was changed into "Pigeon Island". The island was used for military purposes during the Ottoman Era and before, as the location of the island was strategic for securing the shores or preventing the attacks from the sea. The Byzantine castle standing on the rocks, used against pirates, is known as "Pirate Castle".

    Pigeon Island , unlike its name, is now connected to the land by a mole. But, it is even an ideal place providing a wonderful opportunity for relaxation. Within the borders of the impressive castle, you may watch the charming yachts sailing peacefully on the glassy waters of Kusadasi or sit in one of the restaurants by the shore and sample fresh sea-food or other Aegean specialties with the panoramic view of Kusadasi and enjoy the unforgettable times in Kusadasi...

    How to Go?... Pigeon Island is in the city , close to harbor. So,  walking by the seaside may be enjoyable. As it is on the way to "Ladies Beach", it can be reached by Ladies Beach minibuses from the Centrum in every 5 minutes, alternatively....

  ROMAN BATH

Kusadasi had distributed healing to persons at Ion and Roman term with Phigale and Roman Baths. Roman Baths had been established with healing water which cured every kind of skin illnesses in the successful Roman city of Ephesus. The mud which is rubbed to the ill part of the body or to all body, first takes a black colour. After it dries with the sun, it’s washed with the shedding water and people enter the pool and they have a bath there again. If this bath is repeated three weeks, eczema and the other skin illnesses are completely cured.

  ILICA HILL

The remnants, in Ilica Hill are supposed to be made in the first migration years of Aka’s to West Anatolia, are the most beautiful proofs showing how Kusadasi was considered important even before 3 thousand years ago and how it was found worth living. The walls made by stones that are more beautiful than each could still stand.

  SCALA NUOVA

When the Ephesus harbour started to lose its peculiarity; the trade road going over from Asia to Europe and the opposite started looking for another way to itself. After a short period of time, the road which they seek was found. This was Marathesion that would not lose its speciality because of the deep water. As a matter of fact, Marathesion with Neopolis; was the much liked summer place in Ephesus time, Pygale; the health city of Agamemnon and Great Alexander’s soldiers, with Panionion; the first fair city of the world, and with its life that was reaching from ancient age to first and middle age, once more was being famous. Now trade is at its new life style. To this new port, that all the pirate ships of Mediterranean touched at, Scala Nuova name was given. And Scala Nuova with all its vigor had been the pupil of the eye of pirates for long years. Society didn’t come down from the slopes of Pilav Mountain because of the pirates. They lived between Ania-Melia. They built the Andiz Tower and Kadi Castle; observation towers for protecting from pirates. Scala Nuova hadn’t been a settling region till it passed to Turkish dominance.

  PHIGALE

  NEOPOLIS

  WATER CANALS & ARCHES

Kusadasi, water arches reflect the splendour of Roman age. Ephesus had taken its drinking water from Kusadasi. The water which came out from Degirmendere had reached Ephesus by passing over exactly a road of 40 kilometers along straits and slopes, water line, being a splendid art during the years, had spoiled, touched at years’ depreciates, nevertheless it hadn’t defeated technically.

  THE CASTLE IN GUVERCIN (pigeon) ISLAND

  ZEUS CAVE

Zeus Cave, which is in Guzelcamli town and environs of Dilek Peninsula and Meander Delta National Park entrance door, takes place 50 m. outside from the door. The cave’s ground, which its entry seems to be closed with bushes and trees, is covered with a very cold and clear water puddle.

  KURSUNLU MONASTERY

This monastery, where one may go from the center of Davutlar town, is at a half time distance to the center. Monastery sees bird’s-eye view Guzelcamli, Kusadasi, Sisam(Samos) Island. Kursunlu Monastery had take on a religion school duty which supported to spread religion and aimed to give an education of religion.

GUMULDUR

Double house half in littler, guarded vacations settlement.  From June to September with large pool directly at the house.  Only 200 meters to the characteristic nature beach.  Beach walks and hiking directly of the house from.  They find culture and landscape pure, all in the vicinity of 200 km (Efesus, Pamukkale, Bodrum, Izmir).  Kitchen: refrigerator, Kaffemaschine.  Washing machine, living spaces with seat opportunities.  Corps, grill, sea view.  Children playground.  3 bedrooms. 

DAVUTLAR

Davutlar is covered in the contrasting greens of pines and olive trees around Mount Samsun that provides a good accommodation for rarely found trees aged 300 or 350 years,  and historical places , as well. The town is famous for its fragrant fruits&vegetables grown on the fertile lands. Peach, tangerine, tomato and watermelon are the principle supporters of the town's agricultural economy. Also the hot springs and thermal bath, with their pleasurable and beneficial effects, attract many visitors.

Davutlar is ideal not only for lively days by the sea and nature, also for leisurely days with local people who reflect the warmly climate of Mediterranean on their characters with hospitality. Providing many splendid vistas and offering a peaceful atmosphere, Davutlar await to be explored by the visitors.

 How to Go?... Davutlar is 15km away from Kusadasi and can be reached by "Kusadasi-Davutlar" minibuses from the minibus station in the Centrum or the central bus station in every 30 minutes.

GUZELCAMLI

Guzelcamli, with nice beaches for swimming, is also a superb spot for all water sports. Numerous beaches and bays allow the visitors to make activities or swim in the warm waters during the day. The impressing  National Park is within the municipality boundaries of Guzelcamli. Unspoiled natural beauties of the park attract all visitors and offer an unforgettable panoramic setting of the green&blue combination.

Small pensions and hotels of Guzelcamli also provide a wonderful opportunity for relaxation, as for, you enjoy the restful peace of this quiet town....

 How to Go?... Kusadasi-National Park minibuses departure from minibus station inside the town or from the bus station in every 30 minutes or more frequent.

National Park

The Kalamaki beaches count several bays of which the most important ones are Icmeler (1st bay and only sandy one), Kavakli and Karapinar. Winters are mostly rainy and Summers dry. This explains that water sources are the main place where fauna gathers for drinking. The most dense specie is the wild pig so do not be bewildered when you see a wild pig family wandering around in the afternoon.

Due to its clean environment, Kalamaki is also ideal for picnics. All necessary facilities have been thought of : water from the mountains, lavatory and picnic tables and benches. And while you walking around, according to the season, look at the various kinds of flowers in almost any color and do hesitate to taste the wild strawberries.

 How to Go?...To reach the National Park, you can take a minibus leaving at regular hours from the bus station (opposite the Friday Market) or join an organized tour.

You will soon understand it is worth going