05:00 Early morning transfer to Istanbul airport
07:00 Direct Flight from Istanbul to Izmir.
08:10 Arrive at Izmir Airport, meet your guide, and drive to Izmir City Center.
Izmir City Tour:
Our first stop will be Kadifekale (Izmir Castle). Hellenistic and Roman Smyrna Acropolis, known today as Kadifekale and called Pagos in ancient sources. Acropolis Hill, due to its location, has a view that can keep the entire Izmir Bay under control.
The approximately 3 m thick fortification wall surrounding the Acropolis was built directly on the andesite bedrock. In the excavations and research, information about the cult and temple of Athena could not be reached.
However, it is known that there are temples, altars, or places of worship and areas belonging to gods or goddesses other than the god or goddess of the city on the hills of the Acropolis. As a matter of fact, a bowl with the inscription "For Artemis" found during the excavations indicated the existence of the cult of Artemis, at least on the hill.
Then we will drive to Izmir (Smyrna) Agora, located in the heart of the historical city center of Izmir, is also one of the largest agoras in the city center in the world today. It is dated to the Roman Period (2nd century AD). "Agora" means "town square, bazaar, marketplace."
To the Hippodamos city plan, it was built close to the center, with three floors. It is considered the largest and best preserved of the Ionian agoras. It is a three-story compound structure with a staircase in front, built on columns and arches around a large courtyard in the middle.
It is understood that the relief of Goddess Vesta on the northern gate of the Agora is the continuation of the comforts of the Altar of Zeus unearthed during the early excavations. In addition, besides the statues of God Hermes, Dionysus, Eros, and Heracles, Numerous male, female, and animal statues, reliefs, figurines, marble, bone, glass, metal, and terracotta artifacts were unearthed. After that, walk-in Kemeralti Street (Bazaar) to Konak Square.
Since the 19th century, inns and covered bazaars have been in the Kemeralti Bazaar, the liveliest trade point in Izmir. However, the shops here were referred to as small businesses that local people were interested in. Options such as blacksmith, coal maker, nail maker, spice and straw bazaar were previously located in Kemeralti Bazaar.
Commercial shops in different areas were also found at various points. Then we will arrive at Konak Square and the clock tower. Izmir Clock Tower, the symbol of Izmir, is the Ottoman Sultan Sultan II. It was built in 1901 as part of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of Abdulhamid's accession to the throne. This commercial square started from the Hisar Mosque built in Izmir in 1592 and has grown increasingly. After that, we will drive to St. Polycarp Church.
An apostle and gospel writer, St. John's. One of the first students was St Polycarp. He was born in 69 AD in Asia Minor (present-day Türkiye). His divineness, apostle tradition, and profound knowledge of Christianity made him become bishop of the Smyrnaean Church. As the name suggests, its church is dedicated to St.Polycarp. St.Polycarp church is the oldest religious building in Izmir.
Also, this is the most. It is also famous among the "Seven Churches" in Asia Minor. St.Polycarp church draws attention with its elaborate decorations and tiny sculptures. Altar niches, the central nave, aisles, and especially the bema, there are also frescoes.
They are impressive surfaces that cover all interior surfaces without leaving any gaps. These frescoes are also from St. Raymond Pere, who lived in Izmir in the last century, depicting the life and martyrdom of Polycarp drawn by young French painters and architects.
Then we will drive about 2 hrs to drive to Pergamon. After the lunch break, Visit the Pergamon Acropolis.
Pergamon Acropolis and Red Basilica
The ruins of Pergamon cross the river in Bergama's pleasant, modern city. The deep-bedded Caicus River flowing through the town adds to Bergama's quiet charms. Pergamon's archaeological sights, towering 330 m above the city, are extensive and impressive.
Loping over 3000 acres, its ruins are located on two main sites. The Acropolis, which looms above the town, and with one world's wealthiest libraries, the ruins make it one of Turkey's finest archaeological sites.
Extremely worthwhile UNESCO world heritage site atop a massive hill. The vantage point is incredible. It's high, panoramic views, its establishment, and the whole city complex in itself; you will love this place because it's overlooking the entire town.
The theater on the side of the hill is simply amazing. The most notable attraction is the mammoth amphitheater, capable of seating 10.000 spectators. It is the steepest theater whole Mediterranean coastline.
Most of the Altar of Zeus, consisting of the remains of a marble offering table, graces the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The Temple was the "throne of Satan," referred to by St.John in the Book of Revelations. In ancient times, only the library in Alexandria surpassed Pergamon’s, which contained more than 200.000 volumes.
When the Alexandrians attempted to eclipse the Pergamon book bonanza by limiting the flow of papyrus from the Nile, Pergamon schoolers invented parchment from goat hides—the plot thıckned: when the library’s Egyptian rival rose in flames. Marc Antony plundered Pergamon’s shelves and presented the pilfered collection to Cleopatra.
Kizil Avlu (Red Basilica)
Red Basilica was initially built as a second-century temple to the Egyptian God Serapis and converted into a basilica during the Byzantine Empire.
Pergamon Acropolis, The temple of Zeus, the Temple of Emperor Trojan, the Theatre, the Pergamum Library, Arsenals, Red Basilica, and the Ascleion medical center;
After the tour, drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.