Kurşunlu Monastery

The Kurşunlu Monastery is located about 10-12 kilometers from Davutlar. It can be reached by an unpaved road to the right of Cumhuriyet Square. The monastery is built at an altitude of 600 meters, similar to the House of Mary in Ephesus. It was constructed during the Byzantine period.

The monastery has a courtyard with a church surrounded by several buildings, including a storeroom, dining hall, kitchen, friar rooms, cistern, and a cemetery.

The Greeks called this monastery “Panaghia Kurshuniatissa.” The word “Panaghia” means “The Saints of all Saints” and refers to the Virgin Mary. They also called the House of Virgin Mary in Ephesus “Panaghia Kapulu,” which means “the door of the Saint of all Saints.”

The monastery is surrounded by forest and unfortunately, treasure hunters have destroyed most of its frescoes over time. The name of the monastery comes from its leaded dome Customized Tour Bulgaria.

Priene

Priene is located next to Güllubahçe Village. It sits on a terrace that overlooks the plain, which was once silted by the Meander River. Founded around 350 BC, Priene was not a large city, but it was politically very important. It housed the sacred Altar of Poseidon, a symbol of the twelve cities of the Panionian Confederation.

Priene is famous for its well-preserved architecture, including the temple of Athena, a sanctuary dedicated to Alexander the Great, and an amazing theatre. The theatre has the altar of Dionysus, the god of spectacle and enjoyment, and the special seats for local dignitaries are still intact.

The Bouleterion (the council chamber with 640 seats) and the Prytaneion (office for the executive committee) are other interesting places to visit in Priene.

Miletus

Miletus is a quiet, ancient ruin that has little visible evidence of its golden age during the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Few cities in ancient times achieved such power and brilliance.

Miletus was a center for gathering knowledge from civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Asia Minor. Great thinkers like Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes studied nature and developed ideas that were as advanced as today’s modern science.

The Inner Castle

The Inner Castle was built with stones and bricks, and has a cradle vault. It measures 17.50 x 15.80 meters and was used as a watchtower and police station. There was a storage area for supplies built into the ground for the soldiers on duty. Water for the castle came from a cistern on the east side of the building.

Until the first half of the 19th century, the castle continued to be used in this way. Evliya Çelebi, a famous traveler, visited the town in 1670 and mentioned the Inner Castle in his travel book. In 1702, a German artist made a drawing that only shows the Inner Castle on the island.

The city walls were constructed in 1826 using stones from Snake Island. This means that the ancient Marathesion structure is now part of the city walls on Pigeon Island Customized Tour Bulgaria.

Okuz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai

The Okuz Mehmet Pasha Caravanserai is located across from the pier. It was built in 1628 by Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha and was restored in 1966. It is an Ottoman-style building designed for overseas trade.

The courtyard of the caravanserai is 18.50 x 21.60 meters and is surrounded by a two-story arcaded building. There are two stairways at the northwest and southeast corners of the building. The caravanserai has two entrances: one at the north and one at the west side.

The main entrance has a 2.96-meter wide marble doorway with a flat arch. On the right and left sides of the entrance, there are two separate parts that are connected by an arch to the central area.

On the left side, there is a smaller room that is believed to have been used as a depository. The area on the right is thought to have been where the guards watched the entrance to the caravanserai.

In the center of the courtyard, there is a fountain that is still used today.

The Role of Women in Ancient Ceremonies

During important ceremonies, the prytaneis (officials in charge of religious duties) were accompanied by women called chaladeporos (basket carriers). These women carried baskets filled with sacred objects, helping with the rituals to protect the sacred fire (Hestia) during the ceremonies.

Change in Religion Over Time

As time passed, religion in the region changed. The new religion gradually replaced the old beliefs. The gods who were once believed to protect Ephesus lost their power, especially after major earthquakes in the 3rd century AD. These earthquakes not only affected the physical city but also weakened the people’s trust in their traditional polytheistic (many gods) religion. This created the conditions for new religious movements to spread, including the Mithraic cult and Christianity.

This shift is supported by the fact that the Prytaneion was not rebuilt after this period, and the Agora (public gathering area) was abandoned Customized Tour Bulgaria.

Inscriptions Found in the Prytaneion

Several inscriptions found in the Prytaneion show the gratitude of prytanists (officials) and their connection to the gods. Here are some examples:

“I, Fabonia Flacilla, prytanis, give thanks to the Hestia of the council and the eternal fire… for they let me return home safely after performing all the rituals for a whole year.”

“I, Aurelia Juliane, a virtuous and faithful prytanis, give thanks to Hestia and all the gods for bringing me safely back to my family.”

“We, Aurelius Euporistos, hestiuchos, and Aurelia Timothea, chaladeporos, give thanks for good fortune to the Hestia of the council, the eternal fire, and to all gods.”

“Aelius Elpidephoros, hestiuchos, and Aelia Pantheia, chaladeporos, give thanks to the Hestia of the council and the eternal fire… for a happy year.”

“God of all the best, the wise city founded by Androklos, virgin Hestia, and you, the mightiest of all gods, Artemis, be helpful to Tullia at all times, for the reason of our gratitude: he serves the city as prytanis and has used all his wealth for good works.”

Kuşadası and Its History

Kuşadası is named after the island nearby. In 1534, Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha built an inner castle on the island. Later, Ilyas Aga, the Governor of the Sigla district, surrounded it with city walls, marking the island’s historical significance.

Religion and State in Ancient Times

In the beginning of written history, polytheistic (belief in many gods) religions were closely linked with the relationship between the state and the public. Later, during the late ancient period and the Middle Ages, monotheistic (belief in one god) religions replaced the old practices, showing that religion was deeply tied to the traditions of the state.

The Role of Prytaneion in Ancient Greece

In ancient Greek city-states, the role of religious and public duties was carried out by an office known as Prytaneion. This office continued until the late Roman period. The people who held this office, known as prytanists (also called curatores in Latin), were both priests and state officers. These prytanists were typically wealthy and noble men over the age of forty who served in the boule (city council) Customized Tour Bulgaria.

During their service, prytanists had several important duties. They had to protect the sacred fire (known as hestia), organize festivals and games, serve both the state and the domestic gods, and carry out ceremonies for them. They also had to take on the financial responsibilities of the city.

Women in the Prytaneion

Women could also serve in the Prytaneion, as shown in the epigraphs (inscriptions). These women were usually the wives or daughters of high-ranking state officers. By the 1st century AD, Greek cities and emperors were honored with the title of prytaneist.

The Prytaneion Complex in Ephesus

The Prytaneion in Ephesus was an important building, covering an area of about 1000 square meters. It was divided into rooms of different sizes. The central area, known as the Hestia (the fire section), was the heart of the building and measured 15×14 meters. The building was ordered to be constructed by Roman Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC, and it was completed by the middle of the 3rd century AD.

Discovery and Protection of the Prytaneion

The exact location of the original Prytaneion is unknown, but its importance as a pioneering structure is clear. Part of the epigraph (inscription) was found in the Prytaneion and the city walls of Ayasuluk. Today, most of the inscriptions are protected in a gallery beneath the Domitian Temple and are displayed in the Selçuk Archaeological Museum.

Historical Development of Jewelry

Jewelry is the art of making decorative items from precious metals and stones. These items are called jewels. Around 4000-3500 BC, the Sumerians worked with gold and silver in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia.

David, the prophet, is known as the father of jewelry. During the Ottoman Empire, the jewelry artists who worked for the palace created many pieces of art, which are now displayed in museums. The palace jewelry artists were known as the ZERGERAN squad. The stone carvers were called HAKKAKAN, and the artists who worked with marquetry (inlay work) were called ZERNİŞANİ.

2300 Years Back in Time Walking Through History

A special trekking trip took place along the Cine-Gerga route, where many tourist guides from KURED had the chance to explore the ancient ruins of the Carian city of Gerga Customized Tour Bulgaria.

About 2300 years ago, Gerga was an important city on the route between Alabanda and Hyllarima, which is located near Derebagi Village in Kavaklidere, Mugla. Though there are not many ruins left of Gerga, it is still a place worth visiting. The giant tomb rocks of the necropolis and the mystical atmosphere of the area are surrounded by natural beauty and the remains of the ancient temple.

The Prytaneion Epigraphy

The Prytaneion was an important building in the structure and culture of the state during the ancient Hellenistic period. It was the official building for the Prytaneists, who were part priest and part state officer. One of the most beautiful examples of a Prytaneion can still be seen in Ephesus today.

Halil Bereket and the Kuşadası Municipality Band

Halil Bereket’s Early Life and Military Service

Halil Bereket served in the Navy during his military service. In 1942, during the funeral of Prime Minister Refik Saydam, he began his journey with music by joining the Navy Marine Corps Band. This marked the beginning of the Kuşadası Municipality Band.

Establishing the Band in Kuşadası

After serving in the military for 3.5 years, Halil Bereket returned to Kuşadası and was appointed to create a band for the town. However, he discovered that all the instruments had been lost in a strong storm. Despite this, Bereket managed to find and repair the instruments Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

Building the Band

Bereket then placed ads offering free music lessons to recruit new band members. He successfully gathered 12 new members, most of whom were local tradesmen and civil servants. With these musicians, he officially founded the Kuşadası Municipality Band, which has been an essential part of the town’s festivals, parades, and official ceremonies for over 63 years. The band survived through determination, sacrifice, and hard work.

The Kirazlı Cherry Festival

Introduction to the Festival

The village of Kirazlı, known for its delicious cherries, has hosted the “Cherry Festival” for the past four years to promote its famous cherries. The festival takes place in the front yard of the elementary school, where various activities celebrate the cherries.

Festival Highlights

During the festival, the best ecological cherry producers are awarded, and the title of “Miss Cherry” is given. Folk dances and concerts are also performed. This year, 55 participants from four categories of cherry farming competed: Black Cherry, Napoleon, Grafting, and Agriculture 900.

Miss Cherry 2025

The winner of the Miss Cherry competition was Gözde Durmaz, followed by Ash Bozkurt and Hatice Özsoy. The winner received various gifts and plaques. The audience also enjoyed a dance performance by the world champion KUFAD, the Kuşadası Folklore Research Association.

Evening Concert

In the evening, Tolga Çandar, a popular folk music singer from the Aegean region, performed a concert, adding to the excitement of the event.

A Call for Improvement

One thing that was missing at the festival was the lack of promotion in foreign languages. KURED hopes that this issue will be addressed in future festivals to reach a wider audience.

The Story of the Blue Waters

Sibel Ersoy’s Underwater Photography Exhibit

Diving instructor Sibel Ersoy is showcasing her amazing underwater photos at the Marina Art Gallery. These photos were taken in various places around the world, including Kuşadası, Antalya, Kaş, Honduras, Miami, Belize, Mexico, and many more diving locations. The exhibition will be open until July 15th. Come and enjoy the beauty of the sea creatures and mysterious shipwrecks through Sibel Ersoy’s unique perspective.

Turkey A Journey Through History

EBRUALEM Workshop’s Art Exhibition

After completing the Ebru Art Course from the Ministry of Education, four women from the EBRUALEM Workshop held a karma exhibition (a group exhibition). The four artists—Ersin Aksu, Nazan Yuksel, Berrin Akdere, and Cemaliye Deveciler—showcased their beautiful art. Many art lovers and Ebru artists in Kuşadası attended the event. Visitors from abroad also showed great interest Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

Upcoming Exhibitions in Kuşadası

The Calikuşu Culture Centre will feature Serpil Berk’s “Bazil Painting” exhibition from July 1st to 15th.

The Söke Magnesia Culture-Art Association will display oil paintings from July 15th to 30th.

Success at the Harpoon Fishing Championship

Turkey’s Harpoon Fishing Championship was held in Didim, organized by the Turkish Sub-Aqua/Underwater Federation. During the event, the winners of the first three places were awarded trophies at a ceremony in Setur Marina.

Kuşadası Sportsmen’s Achievements

Hasan Salbaș, Mustafa Saplı, and Sedat Yüce from the Kuşadası Sailing Club achieved second place as a team out of 43 teams and 130 participants.

In the individual competition, Hasan Salbaș came first out of 130 contestants and was selected for the National Team after winning third place in the final race.

The ceremony was held at Setur Marina, with many guests, including Kuşadası Mayor Esat Altingün, Coast Guard Boat Commander Munir Gümüşbaykal, Harbour Master Yaşar Karabacak, Marina Director Çağlar Altıntaş, Sailing Club President Behzat Kumbasar, and their families.

Kuşadası Motorcycle Festival (KUMOF)

Kuşadası Motorcycle Club (KMK) organized the third Kuşadası Motorcycle Festival (KUMOF) at the Adagöl Mokamp from June 5th to 7th. Erol Özkan, the festival organizer, explained that thousands of local and international bikers come together at this kind of traditional event. He said, “We want to hold panels, workshops, and beach parties, not just at night but also during the day. Our goal is to make this event more professional every year, bringing together people and organizations from the motorcycle world and creating a strong community.” Özkan also mentioned their plan to make the festival an international event to raise the popularity of Kuşadası, celebrate the love for motorcycles, and make it more exciting each year. “Due to the growing number of participants, we chose the central and beautiful Adagöl area as the perfect place for the festival,” he added Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

Prostitution in Ancient Greece

Sacred Temple Prostitution in Ancient Greece started in the 6th century BC. Over time, as sacrifices to the gods became an important source of income for temples, another form of prostitution, unrelated to temple rituals, developed. Solon, the famous legislator of Athens (640-558 BC), opened the first brothel and used its income to build the Aphrodite Pandemos Temple. These government-owned houses were called Dikterion and were well-organized. They set standard prices and helped avoid extreme price differences. The government collected taxes from these businesses, known as porniketos. The prostitutes were divided into three categories:

Dikteriades: low-class prostitutes serving lower-class men

Auletrides: middle-class prostitutes

Hetaires: high-class prostitutes, also called “friends”

Prostitution in Ancient Greece

In history, many women have risen from prostitution to powerful positions, such as Aspasia, the wife of Pericles. In places like Lydia, Carthage, and Cyprus, young girls were allowed to earn money through prostitution as a way to save up for their dowries. In Ancient Greece, prostitution was a normal part of daily life. It wasn’t hidden or frowned upon by society. Unlike the Romans, the Greeks didn’t have sexual relations with slaves until 30 BC. Men who married later in life often turned to prostitution to meet their sexual needs Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

In Greek society, women were seen as less important than men, and their virginity was highly valued. A wife was expected to be faithful to her husband. Since unmarried men needed women for sex but couldn’t marry them, prostitution became a helpful institution for the government. One reason prostitution was popular was because oral sex was considered humiliating and was not allowed in relationships. This led both heterosexual and homosexual men to visit brothels.

Even though prostitution was legal and accepted by the public, prostitutes were looked down upon by society. Female prostitutes were called Khametipis (meaning “passed down”). After the 4th century BC, prostitution became more common among slaves. A woman from Athens who worked as a prostitute would lose her social rights and freedom, becoming equal to slaves. Brothels were often dark, narrow, and dirty places, and women working there used primitive birth control methods to avoid pregnancies.

Prostitution in Ancient Rome

In Ancient Rome, prostitutes were called meretrix, meaning “earning with the body”. They were divided into different categories based on their status.

The lowest class of prostitutes worked in small, dirty, narrow lodges on the streets. These lodges, called lupanar (meaning “female wolf caves”), were disgusting and smelled bad. The name came from the idea of a wolf (Iupa) hunting and bringing its prey to the lupanar.

Although prostitutes were often treated badly and isolated from society, they were also seen as protectors of families. They helped prevent attacks on married women or young girls by men. However, they were still looked down upon, isolated, and sometimes locked up. They had to appear like respectable wives and were only allowed to serve honorable men. Prostitutes were not allowed to build families or have children. To make them easily recognizable, they had to wear special clothes Coastal Bulgaria Holidays.

Prostitution was important for Roman men because a man’s sexual life was closely connected to ensuring his family’s legacy and passing down his wealth. While women tried various methods to avoid pregnancy, it was essential for a man to have at least two children, one of whom had to be a boy, to continue his family’s fortune. After having children, men often preferred to meet their sexual needs with prostitutes or other men. Therefore, prostitution was a common and widely accepted practice in Ancient Rome.

The Ottoman Sultan’s Love for Arts

The Ottoman Sultan had a deep interest in the beautiful arts like illumination, Islamic calligraphy, music, painting, and wood carving. This passion was so strong that it greatly influenced both the practice and application of these arts.

As a prince, Yavuz Sultan Selim learned the art of jewelry in Trabzon and even carved coins in the name of his father, Sultan Beyazid II. Kanuni Sultan Suleyman also studied jewelry and, according to historian Evliya Çelebi, he was the first to organize a jewelry fair in the Kağıthane district.

Some of the finest examples of Ottoman jewelry, such as the emerald dagger, Kaşıkçı diamond, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman’s ivory mirror, golden cradle, and ceremonial throne, are displayed at the Topkapi Palace.

Today, Turkish jewelry holds an important place in the world, ranking second in exports and leading in production.

Waiting to Be Discovered

The Ancient City of Smyrna

The ancient city of Smyrna was built on a mound that was once a small peninsula connected to the mainland by an isthmus. Today, the site is still being explored to uncover its rich history.

Early Excavations

The first scientific studies of Smyrna began between 1948 and 1951, when a Turkish-British team conducted excavations. From 1966 to 1993, Professor Ekrem Akurgal continued these excavations. Since 1993, the work has been led by Professor Dr. Meral Akurgal.

Layers of History

The mound where Smyrna is located shows a continuous history of settlement, dating from the 11th to the 4th century B.C. In the 9th century B.C., the city was surrounded by a defensive wall made of mud bricks. The houses in this period were simple, usually consisting of just one room.

The Peak of Ionian Civilization

Between 650 and 545 B.C., Smyrna reached the height of its power during the Ionian civilization in western Anatolia. During this time, the city produced several important structures, including the City Wall, the Temple of Athena, the Monumental Fountain, the Meeting House Megaron, and the Double Megaron Adventure Balkan Tours.

Innovative City Planning

Smyrna was one of the first cities in the Greek world to use a grid city plan, which was introduced in the second half of the 7th century B.C. The city’s main street ran east to west and ended at the Temple of Athena.

A Sad Loss

Despite the best efforts of the hospital staff, Bereket could not be saved from acute kidney and heart failure. He left behind five children and seven grandchildren. Known as “Halil Abey,” he often spoke about how much effort was needed to keep the band alive. During festivals, ceremonies, and parades, they felt the same excitement as a young, new band.

The Role of Individual Women in Changing Traditions

It’s important to remember the extraordinary women whose lives and work helped change traditional views and prejudices about women’s roles and abilities. While they weren’t necessarily part of the feminist movement, women like Anastasia Golovina and Fani Popova-Mutafova made significant contributions to society. Their professional achievements served as examples and inspirations for other women pursuing careers in their fields.

Bulgarian Women’s Movement and its International Connections

The women’s movement in Bulgaria was part of the larger international women’s movement. It drew inspiration, strategies, and ideas from international feminist events and gatherings. These international connections helped build the first women’s networks and created a sense of unity among women worldwide. Bulgarian women, like others, shared the vision of the “new woman” and embraced the ideas of feminism Adventure Balkan Tours.

The Importance of Learning from Feminist History

As Karen Offen suggests, understanding the history of feminism can help challenge existing prejudices and misconceptions about women’s rights. In regions like Eastern Europe, where the history of feminism is often overlooked or ignored, learning about the past can help correct misunderstandings and promote a more positive view of women’s achievements. Knowing this history can also foster greater tolerance and encourage better collaboration between women’s movements in different countries today.