Seferihisar and Sığacık
Seferihisar is 47km west of Izmir. It had been home to many civilisations with its fabulous water. It is surrounded by olive and citrus trees. Seferihisar is supposed to have been established by Etruks. Lydians, Persians, Athenians, Spartans, Attalids, Macedonians, Romans, and Byzantines governed the city respectively. During the Kartaca war, the soldiers of Roman General Tysaferinos settled here and changed the name of the city as 'Tysaferinopolis'. Teos and Sığacık were ruled by the same civilization almost at the same period. Seferihisar was captured by Seljuks in the 13th A.D., Aydınoğulları Principality and Ottomans in the l4th century, Timur Empire in the 15th century and then by Ottomans again. The mescid (small mosque), Turkish baths and mosques built in and around this district by Seljuks and Ottomans are Koçibey Mescidi, Gözsüzler Mescidi, Turabiye Mosque, Sığacık Mosque, Ağa Mosque, Yeni Mosque, and Hıdırlık Mosque. Seferihisar has 27km long coast displaying the features of Aegean coast. This coast offers beautiful beaches and coves.
There is a small fishing village 6km. from Seferihisar. The name of this area which has well protected surrounding walls is Sığacık and is said to have been built in the Seljukian period. Probably the castle dates back to the 16th century and was built by Piri Reis' suggestion. Originally the castle has two
floors but only the first floor remaines today and one can climb here from hidden steps of the two towers. Sığacık castle, which was built by Parlak Mustafa Paşa, has three gates named Kuşadası, Ayasuluk and Seferihisar. The ruins found in the ancient harbour show that they were exporting stone blocks obtained from the quarries around. It is possible to surf and enjoy the wind in Akkum beach.
In addition to resting and recreational areas it is famous for delicious fish like red sea bream, red mullet and head bream.
Teos
Teos(or Teo) was a maritime city of Ionia, on a peninsula between Chytrium and Myonnesus, colonized by Orchomenian Minyans, Ionians, and Boeotians. It was the birthplace of Anacreon, the poet; Hecateus, the historian; Protagoras, the sophist; Scythinus, the poet; Andron, the geographer; and Apellicon, the preserver of the works of Aristotle.
Teos was a flourishing sea-port with two fine harbours until Cyrus the Great invaded Lydia and Ionia (ca. 540 BC). The Teans found it prudent to seek refuge overseas, to the newly founded colonies of Abdera in Thrace and Phanagoria on the Asian side of the Cimmerian Bosporus.
Having lost its former importance, Teos ranked among twelve cities comprising the Ionian League. The port was revived by Antigonus Cyclops; and Epicurus reportedly studied there under a disciple of Democritus. During the times of the Roman emperors, the town was noted for its wine and the temple of Dionysus.
One can reach ancient city of Teos after passing "Teos Forest Resting Area" of the Ministry of Forest. The economy of the city of Teos, which was founded in 1O5O-1OOO B.C., was based on the sea trade. Alexander the Great planned to annex Teos to the Gulf of İzmir through a canal. Antiquity's largest Dionysos Temple was built in Teos at the beginning of the 2nd century B.C. The temple has six columns on short sides and eight on short sides. It was repaired in Roman Period for many times however it was damaged by several earthquakes. Besides the Dionysus Temple, Hellenistic city walls, theatre, acropolis and gymnasium can be seen in Teos.
