TOWER CLOCK

With its beauty and elegance enriching the Konak Square , The Tower Clock is one of the most-known symbols of Izmir . It was built in 1901 by Grand Vizier Küçük Said Pasha for honoring the 25th anniversary of enthronement of Sultan Abdulhamid II. The clock on the 25 m height tower is a gift from German Emperor Wilhelm II. Cornered by four fountains, The Tower Clock has no inscription on it. The Tower Clock forms the identical figure of Konak Square together with Governement Palace , Muncipality Building and Konak Mosque.

THE ELEVATOR

The Historical Elevator, located in Guzelyali and its adjacent Dario Moreno Street are among the must-see places of Izmir . It was built by Jewish business man Nasim Levi Bayrakoglu, in 1907, in order to help the people who have to climb 155 steps to reach Halil Rifat Pasa Avenue . The Elevator was working with water power until 1985, and then the municipality applied electric engines.

The Historical Elevator was restored in 1992 and currently Izmir Metropolitan Municipality runs it as an entertainment, recreation and cultural center. The Sakiz Houses of the Dario Moreno Street are also adding another taste to the picture.

EPHESUS

The foundation of Antic city of Ephesus , in Selçuk Town of Izmir, goes way back to 6,000 BC, the Neolithic period of history.

• THE BASILICA OF ST. JEAN : The basilica, which was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinianus in the name of St. Jean , at 6th Century AD is located on the Ayasuluk Hill. It has 40x110 meters in dimensions. With its entrance looking to the West, it has a Cross-like plan.

•  ARTEMIS   TEMPLE : Only the basic ruins of Artemis Temple , which is accepted as one of the seven wonders of the World survived today.
The ruins of this magnificent temple can be seen on right side of the road from Selçuk to Kusadasi. It is known that the virgin Goddess of nature Artemis has its roots in Antic Anatolian belief system, and was based on the mother Goddess of Hattis, Kibble. Both Godesses were known as symbols of plenitude and fertility in Ephesus and famous Iliad indicates their birthplace as Orgyte, which in Ancient Greek means quail. Sources indicate that Orgyte is the same mountain, the Bulbul Dagi, on which sides the Epehesus was founded. Artesmis Temple has 127 columns, 36 of which are embossed. It is thought that the temple was 125 meter long, 60 meter wide and 25 meters high. It is also known that the oldest ruins are going back to 6th Century and the temple was rebuilt with 105 meters length, 55 meters width and 25 meters height over a 600 square meters area.

The temple was invaded and destructed by Goths at 263 AD and was discovered by a British archeologist named Wood in 1869. In 1904, another British archeologist, Hogart handled the digging works. Today, Australian scientists keep working on the temple site.

• THE SEVEN SLEEPERS: The Story of Seven Sleepers is a miraculous event which includes seven Young men by the names of Yamlicha, Mexelina, Meslina, Mernus, Debernus, Saznus and Kefestatius the shepherd. The event took its place in holy books and historical sources, and became subject for many manuscripts. The Miracle of Seven Sleepers was also narrated in Holy Qoran's 110-verse Kehf Sora (18th Sora) between 8th and 25th verses.

PERGAMON

The Antic City of Pergamon is one of the best samples of city planning of its period. It is also very important with its contributions in arts, science and medicine. Lined its heyday during the Kingdom of Pergamon , kept its importance during the Roman period and became the capital of the province of Asia . Founded on a sharp hill of 300 hundred meters high, the first settlement of the city is Acropolis. On that hill, palaces, five aqueducts and arsenals were built. On the lower side are Athena Temple, Library and Trajan Temples , Zeus Altar and theater, and gymnasium with Temple of Demeter . In spite of building of many others during various time periods, city plan kept its harmonic structure.

MOTHER MARY

The Holy Mother of Christ, Mother Mary's House is located on Bulbul Mountain . The House was discovered in 1891 archeological diggings. It is estimated that the holy place, also known as ‘Panaia Kapulu' by Christians, was build around 4th Century AD. The grave of Mother Mary is on the Northeastern side of the Panayir Mountain . For many years, religious ceremonies are being held there at 15th August of each year. Vatican confirmed the place as the House of Mother Mary in 1957 and declared as pilgrimage for Christians.

Jesus Christ, short before the crucifixion, entrusted his mother to his friend and apostle St. Jean . The apostle, thinking that the Jerusalem will not be safe for the Holy Mother after the crucifixion of Christ, took her with him and escaped. Then, Mother Mary lived here, on Bulbul Mountain until her death at age 101. St . Jean lived and died in Ephesus , and it is said that he wrote his Bible there.

MUSEUM OF ETHNOGRAPHY

The Museum was built in 19th Century on a slope, with Noe-Classical style. It is known that the building was first used in 1831 as a hospital (St. Roch Hospital) then restored by French in order to use as a nursery home for poor Christian families. Later, it is also used by People's Health Ministry as Health Directorate HQ. The building was given to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey in order to be restored as Museum of Ethnography .

Among the many exhibitions that took place in the museum were 19th Century lifestyle, handicrafts, folkloric games, authentic dresses and many more artifacts.

MUSEUM OF ARCHEOLOGY (Varyant, Konak)

the Museum of Archeology was founded in 1927, in order to exhibit findings that going way back to Prehistoric Byzantine period. Among the other displayed materials are mosaics, very precious statue and artifact collections. Architectural pieces and statues are continuously displayed in the museum's garden. Also works fort he modernization of the entrance and expansion of the display rooms are ongoing.

Museum of History and Arts ( Kültür Park , Montreux gate)

Artifacts and other findings from Antic Smyrna and other West Anatolian sites (Miletos, Ephesus , Claros, etc.) are being displayed in this museum opened in 2004. Many pieces from Hellenistic and Roman periods are also displayed within two separate buildings. Rich coin and bronze artifacts collections can be seen in the third building.

PASAPORT PIER

The Pasaport Pier is a part of the Izmir Port which construction began in 1867 and was finished by French Guiffray Company through the projects of British engineers in 1876. The Founded in 1884, Izmir Bay Ottoman Ships Co., were running its eight ships between piers of Pasaport, Konak, Karsiyaka, Alaybey, Turan, Osmanzade, Bayrakli, Karatas, Salahane and Göztepe. Current Pasaport Pier is restored with First National Architectural style which draw inspiration from Ottoman and Seldjuk styles and which was popular in the first years of the republic.

KIZLARAGASI INN

According to its inscription of the entrance, The Kizlaragasi Inn on the road to Hisarönü, was built by Haci Besir Aga, an officer of Mahmoud I. , in 1741. The building was destructed in 1778 earthquake and was rebuilt in 1779.

This is a four-gate two storey building built in accordance with its own period's Izmir stone houses with shops looking both to inner court and street. The small mosque in its inner court is currently used as a café and a shop. The building was closed for restoration in 1989 and now is open with its renewed face.