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
K
usadasi, 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
todays 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.
Kusadasi began to be
ruled by the Ottoman
Empire after the
invasion of Sultan
Mehmet Celebi in the
year of 1413. During the
reign of Ottomans,
Kusadasi was introduced
to glorious structures,
giving a new look to its
former spectacular view.
Okuz Mehmet Pasa
Caravanserai is the
principal of Ottoman
architecture in the
city, was built by the
man of the same name,
who was the vizier
during the reigns of
Sultan Ahmet1 and
Osman2. The fortress
gates, walls and many
mosques in the center of
Kusadasi, as well as the
citadel of the castle in
Pigeon Island, were
built in the Ottoman
period, reflecting the
architectural style of
the era. Kusadasi that
means bird island took
its name from the Pigeon
Island.
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 Turkeys 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.
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