Çeşme Castle:
The rectangular castle built by Beyazıt the Second in 1508 poses a great view with its 6 towers and moats surrounding it on three sides. Initially built at the edge of the sea, the castle was left inland in time as the sea was filled out. The castle hosts the annual International Çeşme Music Competition and the Çeşme Festival between 02 and 07 July every year. Visitor also can view the statue of Great Turkish Admiral Hasan Pasha the Algerian depicted together with his lion in front of the castle.Caravanserai:
The caravanserai, built by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in 1528, adds a distinct flavour to Çeşme. Used particularly to accommodate foreign merchants through the ages, today the caravanserai serves as a 45 room hotel. The caravanserai also includes night entertainment venues and shopping malls.Çeşme Museum:
The historic richness of Çeşme is best displayed by the sheer numbers as well as high quality of the historic artefacts in its museums. The Çeşme Archaeological Museum, located in the Çeşme Castle, displays artefacts mostly gathered from Erythrai, Çeşme downtown, Alaçatı and Kaleburnu regions, reaching a total of 477 artefacts, including 320 archaeological pieces, 126 ethnographic pieces and 31 coins.
Museum Tel: +90 232 712 66 09
Visiting Hours: 08:30 – 12:00 / 13:00 – 17:00
Visiting Days: Every day excluding Monday.
Parga Hammam:
In 1500s the Ottoman Marine Fleet has sheltered in the Çeşme Gulf due to bad weather conditions. In 1528 Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent has a Caravanserai built next to the Çeşme Castle. Later, the Historic Çeşme Hammam was built by İbrahim Pasha of Parga under orders of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent for enjoyment of the soldiers and the people of the region. The hammam whose historic texture was damaged due to continuous use until 2016 was subjected to repairs on its garden walls and landscaping. The hot water reservoir was restored in accord with the project. The heating system and fixtures were renewed. The ceiling and floor of the hammam were rebuilt from solid wood in accord with the project. The wooden slat roof was reconstructed with four slopes. A heat pump and generator were installed in the garden. The broken fountain inside the hammam was restored to working order. Water and heat isolation issued were resolved. With restoration works completed in 2019, the hammam is now open for service throughout 12 months of the year. While the hammam is open for historic and touristic service, it is also available for traditional bridal bathing.Erythrai (Ildırı):
Located 20 km north of Çeşme, the Ildırı village was known as Erythrai in the antic era. It is believed that the name Erythrai is derived from Erythros, meaning "Red" in Greek, due to the red soil of the region, referring to Erythrai as the "Red City". Another hypothesis assumes that the city takes its name from Erythro, son of Rhadamanthes of Crete.The findings gathered at the city show that settlements existed in this region since the Early Bronze Age. In the Second Colonisation Era the city was under dominion of Knopos, from the lineage of Kadros, the King of Athens. Ruled as a kingdom at first, the city later came to be governed by the Vasileus, who still came from kingly lineage, but was elected by the people. The city joined the Pan-Ionian religious and political union established between the Ion city states. The city lived a period of tyranny under Payhagoras, coming into prominence with the mill stones it produced and sold in this period. Erythrai was claimed by Lydia and later by the Persians.
Joining other Ion cities in rebellion against Persian yoke, the city was liberated by Alexander in 334 BCE along with all other Ion cities. Erythrai changed hands many times in the tumultuous times following the death of Alexander, and finally landed in the hands of the Kingdom of Pergamum (Bergama). In 133 BCE it achieved the status of an independent city under the Roman Empire. In this period the city became famous for its wine, goats and mill stones, as well as its oracles Sibyl and Herophile. Suffering great destruction due to earthquakes, wars and pillaging of Roman commanders, the region lost its importance in the Byzantine period. Carrying various names like Erythre, Rhtyrai and Lythri after coming under Turkish dominion in 1366, the region finally came to be called as İlderen or Ildırı as of 16th century.
Excavations were performed at the city first by Prof. Hakkı Gültekin between 1963 and 1966, and by Prof. Ekrem Akurgal later. First to be unearthed was the ancient theatre on the northern slopes of the Acropolis believed to be built in late 3rd century BCE. Searches performed on the highest plateau of the Acropolis also found remains of a temple of Athena. It is understood the city was surrounded by 5 km of walls. The theatre was partially dug out. Searches also resulted in discovery of bowls and pots as well as stone and earthen figures from 6th and 7th century BCE.
Source: www.kultur.gov.tr
