BALIKESIR TURKEY

Balıkesir

Balıkesir is one of the mostimportant centres of cultural tourism with its monasteries, cemeteries, museumsand ancient cities. Having hosted many important civilizations in the past andthe existence of many remains belonging to these civilizations, Balıkesir has animportant place in the rich cultural heritage of Türkiye.

Historical Monuments and Museums in Balıkesir

Themid-14th century Yıldırım Mosque (Yıldırım Cami), built by BayezitI, is the city´s oldest mosque while the Zağnos Paşa Mosque (ZağnosPaşa Cami), built by and named after the Grand Vizier of Mehmet theConqueror Zağnos Paşa in 1461. The Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) builtby Mehmet Paşa in 1827 is a smaller version of the GalataTower. The Karesi Bey Mausoleum (Karesi Bey Türbesi) of1336 contains the cenotaphs of Karesi Bey and his five sons.Don’t forget to see the artefacts taken from the area and put on displayin Balıkesir Museum (Kuva-i Milliye) (Balıkesir Müzesi).

Just a few steps from Balıkesir

Thebeautiful Değirmen Strait (Değirmen Boğazı), an area 10kmfrom Balıkesir on the way to Bursa, lies nestledbetween two hills: on holidays and weekends families flock to this scenic spotand its restaurants. At Karakol village (Karakol köyü),photographers can capture three picturesque windmills. Ancient Penderamus,now called Bandırma, is today an important commercial andindustrial harbour second only to İstanbul in the Seaof Marmara; you can spend a pleasant afternoon in the town’s restaurantsand cafés. Belkıs (Kyzikos) lies 10km west of Bandırma; inthis ancient city on the isthmus of the Kapıdağ Peninsula (KapıdağYarımadası), the Temple of Hadrian (Hadrian Tapınağı), atheatre and aqueducts still captivate visitors

Ayvalık

The Devil´s Feast

One ofthe best vantage points of Ayvalık. The hill, which is perched overthe Çamlık Forestry Camp (Çamlık Orman Kampı), is an old lava cone,and the hilltop, which is flat, resembles the traditional, low, round diningtables of the region. Some believe that an imprint on the rock, now coveredwith an iron cage, is the footprint of the Devil. The Devil´s Feast(Şeytan Sofrası) has a panoramic view over the Ayvalık archipelago,looking down onto sounds and coves covered with pine forests. To dine at ahilltop restaurant and enjoy a drink while watching the sunset is a privilege.

Historical Monuments of Ayvalık

It isimpossible to imagine Ayvalık without its sanctuaries.Saatli Mosque (Saatli Cami) Çınarlı Mosque (Çınarlı Cami) Hamidiye Mosque(Hamidiye Cami), Hayrettin Paşa Mosque (Hayrettin Paşa Cami) Küçükköy CentralMosque (Küçükköy Merkez Cami) Taxiarchis Church (Taksiyaris Kilisesi), AyazmaChurch (Ayazma Kilisesi), Hagios Triada (Hagia Triada Kilisesi) Church arejust some of them…