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Cesme
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 The
Cesme Peninsula, lapped by the waters of the Aegean
Sea, lies west of Izmir, in Turkey's Aegean region.
Cesme, meaning fountain in Turkish, derives from the
many sources of water found in the area. It is one
of Turkey's most beautiful stretches, surrounded by
clear blue seas, with landscapes of cultivated
fields of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted with
fig and gum trees. In the un-spoilt bays you can
swim in absolute peace. Visitors will find excellent
holiday accommodations, restaurants and sports and
entertainment facilities. It is possible also to get
to Greek island Chios (Sakiz) with regular daily
ferries. Cesme has an international harbor linked to
Izmir with a superb highway (80kms).
Cesme was captured from the Byzantines by a Seljuk
Turkish force under Caka Bey in the 11th century.
With the decline of the Seljuks in the 13th century
it became part of the Aydinogullari principality,
which used Cesme as a naval base. The Ottoman sultan
Yildirim Bayezit (1389-1402) captured Cesme, but
after this ruler’s defeat at the hands of Tamerlane
(Timur) the town was returned to the Aydinogullari,
finally being recaptured by Bayezit’s son Mehmed I
(1413-1421).
A 14th century Genoese fortress, restored and
enlarged by the Ottomans in the 16th century,
dominates the small port of Cesme and now houses a
weapons museum. Today, the town is a popular holiday
resort with good accommodations and restaurants. The
16th century caravanserai near the fortress, Öküz
Mehmet Pasa Kervansaray, built by Süleyman the
Magnificent, has been converted into a hotel. It's a
a solid stone building in good repair whose central
courtyard is cool even in the hottest weather.
Before the rise of Izmir, Cesme was the region’s
major port, and this caravanserai marked the end of
the Silk road for the caravans who plodded their
weary way across Anatolia from Central Asia and the
Middle East. Here the goods were unloaded from the
camels for export to Europe by ship through the
Aegean and Mediterranean. The Church of Agios
Haralambos has been restored as an art gallery.
Thermal baths offer a health centered escape from
modern life. At night a lively, fun atmosphere
pervades, especially in the restaurants, cafes, bars
and discos along the promenade. Yachts can be hired
to explore the peninsula's splendid coastline. Cesme
hosts an annual International Song Contest in July,
one of the most important festivals in Turkey. Cesme
is also famous for its mastic flavored ice-cream and
mouth watering toasted sandwiches. Above all it is
Cesme's beaches, the longest on the Aegean coast,
and turquoise sea which bring holidaymakers back
here again and again.
The very popular holiday center of Ilica boasts an
excellent white sand beach and the outstanding
facilities of the Altin Yunus Marina and Holiday
Complex. The bay here is ideal for water sports,
especially windsurfing and sailing; there is even an
International Windsurfing Race held every year in
Cesme and AlaCati, apart from Bodrum. The thermal
baths around Ilica are very popular; the best being
located on Sifne Bay. In 146 AD the Greek geographer
Pausanius described these mineral springs as the
‘sea springs’ and claimed that their therapeutic
effects were superior to any other spa in Ionia.
They relieve rheumatism, inflammation of the joints,
partial paralysis, digestive complaints, and
infections of the spine marrow. Pasa Limani has a
camp site which offers campers comfortable
facilities. Every July on Ilica Bay, the colorful
International Cakabey Optimist Yacht race is held.
Ildiri, a quiet seaside village 20 km. northeast of
Cesme, was ancient Erythrai which emerges on the
stage of history in 3000 BC. Excavations here have
shown that the site has been settled since the early
bronze age, and as a result the area around the
village of Ildiri has been declared a national
heritage site. The walls around the ancient city are
still standing, and Hellenistic period floor mosaics
of exceptional beauty can still be seen in one of
the buildings. Excavations have also revealed a
temple of Athena. Statues, jewelry and other finds
from the city are exhibited in Izmir Museum. Those
who climb up to the Acropolis at dusk are rewarded
with beautiful views as the sun sinks over the bay
and islands.
Nearby is Gerence Gulf, a pristine inlet on the
northeast Cesme peninsula which can be reached by
yacht or car. The natural surroundings offer
relaxation while the bay is ideal for water sports.
Dalyan, a fishing village, built on a sheltered deep
water inlet just north of Cesme, has some of the
region's best fish restaurants which border the quay
of the lively marina.
Tourist are attracted by Ciftlik's many
accommodations and by a long, sandy beach (Pirlanta
Plaj) just outside of town to the southwest. Camping
facilities are available to the south and nearby
stretches one of the area's best beaches, the
Altinkum Plaj (Golden Beach).
Windmills, some of which have been converted into
attractive restaurants, dot the hill above AlaCati,
a delightful and typical Aegean town. AlaCati lies
to the south inland from Ilica and the coast; a
couple of kilometers to the south is a good beach.
Many lovely bays, accessible only by yacht, stretch
along the coast southeast of the town and ensure
peaceful and relaxing anchorages in this popular
sailing region. The sea at AlaCati has ideal
conditions for windsurfing since it is exposed to
high winds. There is a windsurfing school on the
quay here which holds courses for beginners. Cark
Beach is a favorite with families with young
children because the sea is shallow.
Known in ancient times as Clazomenae, Urla Iskelesi
offers a marina as well as plentiful accommodations
in all price ranges. Restaurants on the top of
Güvendik hill afford a marvelous view of the bay and
its islands.
The prosperous little fishing village of Cesmealti
is notable for its simple yet excellent fish
restaurants to try Turkish cuisine.
As you drive along the panoramic Karaburun peninsula
coast road, you pass several peaceful bays and
quaint fishing villages, Balikliova, Mordogan and
Karaburun. At Karaburun, pleasant hotels, tea
gardens and fish restaurants sit between the
beautiful mountain backdrop and the clear, clean
water. From Manastir Mountain you can enjoy an
unforgettable view of the Karaburun coast, the FoCa
coastline opposite and the entrance of the Gulf of
Izmir. If you are lucky, you can spot Mediterranean
Seals swimming in the water.
Gümüldür has good tourist facilities, beautiful
beaches, restaurants and hotels. Nearby at
Ahmetbeyli (Claros) to the east, stand the Apollon
Temple and the remains of the colossal statue of
Apollo; here you can also enjoy a good fish meal,
try Turkish food or a swim at the town's wide beach.
A winding panoramic coastal road leads from
Ahmetbeyli south to Pamucak beach near Kusadasi.
On the southern side of the Cesme peninsula near the
town of Seferihisar is the small picturesque marina
of Sigacik. This important yachting center is
surrounded by fortifications dating from the Genoese
period and is a good point from which to visit the
Temple of Dionysus at the antique site of Teos as
well as the lovely Akkum beach.
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