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The early settlements in
Kusadasi
is by the Lelegians and Carians who moved from the central
Anatolia around the year of 3000BC. They were the establishers
of a colony on the skirts of Pilav Mountain in
Kusadasi,
and founded the cities Ania and Melia. Mild climate allowed
the inhabitants to grow essential products such as olive,
grape and figs for extracting oil or making wine and sweets on
the fertile lands around the
city.
In the 10th century BC "12
Ionian Cities" Samos, Khios, Miletos, Priene, Ephesus, Teos,
Erythrai, Priena, Klazonemi, Lebedos, Phokaia, Colophon,
Smyrna, were established and reputed for the most developed
cities of that age. Asthe annual meeting place of the Ionian
League, Panionian, was founded around
Kusadasi;
the cities of Phygale, Marathesion and Neopolis were
established within the borders of the
city.
During the period, the ports of Phygale and Neopolis were not
busy and necessary, as they were close to the famous trading
centers and ports, Miletos and Ephesus.
The
city
was invaded by Persians around the year of 546BC. In 200BC
Kusadasi
and its environs were dominated by the Roman Empire, and with
the division of the Roman Empire, became a state of Byzantine.
As the changes in climate caused serious earthquakes and
changed the route of Caystros River, Ephesus was mostly
destroyed and lost its prior importance and prosperity. The
result had forced Byzantines to search for a new port and a
new road that would be suitable for trading. The area around
Neopolis was found convenient by the Greek, Jewish, and
Armenian merchants as a port in place of the port of Ephesus.
"Scala Nova" was the name of this new port which added a new
trading center to the prior historical cities such as Ania,
Melia, Phygale and Neopolis, that have created the early
foundations of today's
Kusadasi. By the coming of the
15th century, "Scala Nova" was under the domination of the
Venetian and Genoese sailors and traders who established
consulates here.The Turkish domination in the area entered
upon the invasion of Seljukian Kilic Arslan the 2nd. The
advantageous position of
Kusadasi as its being at the end
of the important trade roads such as Silk Road -once held by
Ephesus, influenced the development of the
city in
trading, positively.
After the First World War,
Kusadasi
was invaded by the Greeks (1919). The
city
won a long struggle for in 1922 and became a part of Turkish
Republic. Izmir was the capital of
Kusadasi
until 1954. Then the capital was changed to Aydin and the
city
of Kusadasi
has shown a good deal of development, especially in tourism.
Today,
Kusadasi
is one of Turkey's most sophisticated holiday centers; a
perfect place for vacation with its sandy beaches and glassy
water. The contrast of the lively holiday life with the
quietness of ancient ruins create the special atmosphere of
the city. |