SIZE: 301,381 sq. miles, twice thesize of California
POPULATION: 58,580, around one-fourth the U.S. population.
LANGUAGE: Turkish is the officiallanguage, but Kurdish and Arabic are also spoken.
CAPITAL: Ankara
TYPE OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CURRENCY: Turkish Lira
TIME ZONE: GMT +3
Just a few years ago, Kusadasi lookedlike any other sleepy fishing village.There were only a few buildings of note.Castillo de Santa Catalina, a Genoesecastle dating from the 13th century, was later used as a base by the pirateBarbarossa and his brothers.
There is also a large Caravansary built in1613 by the Turkish governor MehmetPasha. Originally designed as a haven forpassing merchants and their camels, it hasnow been renovated as a luxury hotel.
The local Bazaar has also grown to be one of Turkey’s largest markets for leathergoods, jewelry, and oriental rugs. Only theGrand Bazaar in Istanbul is bigger.
The entire town has been transformedinto a center for tourists, with access toEphesus and the entire Ionian coast.
Ionian Greeks settled this part of AsiaMinor as early as the 10th-century B.C.They founded cities around the finestnatural harbors in the Mediterranean,and rapidly became an important com-mercial zone.
These Ionian Greeks made importantcontributions to the commerce and culture of the Aegean region. In fact,many of the earliest Greek philosophersand thinkers lived here along the Ioniancoast, and not in mainland Greece.
The conflict that led to the Greek-Persian Wars also began here. TheGreeks resisted the encroachments of thePersian Emperor Darius, and later hisson, Xerxes. When Athens and mainland
Greece supported their cousins againstPersia, the conflict became general, andended only when the Persians failed tosubdue the Greek cities.
Smyrna may be the birthplace of thepoet Homer. Since Homer’s Iliad isabout the siege of Troy, it is significantthat Smyrna is little more than 100miles from ancient Troy. He was cer-tainly familiar with the local tales andlegends of the epic siege, on which hebased his work.
East of Smyrna was Sardis, capital of the kingdom of Lydia. The first metalcoins were probably minted here. Lydiaconquered Ephesus and established itselfas a regional power.
Pergamum was once known for a hugealtar honoring Zeus. The altar was discov-ered by German archaeologists a centuryago, and is displayed in a Berlin museumtoday. Pergamum also had one of thegreatest libraries of antiquity, with morethan 200,000 volumes. The only greaterlibrary was at Alexandria in Egypt.
One of the ancient world’s medical centers was the Asclepeium there, known for healthy spring water, massage, mud baths, and herbal cures. The great2nd-century physician Galen was a native of Pergamum.
Ephesus temporarily replaced Smyrna asthe commercial capital of Asia Minor untilits river port silted up in the 3rd-century.Another claim to fame was the cult ofArtemis at Ephesus. A huge temple was
Kusadasi: A Historic Crossroads ofEmpires and Shadows of Stature
TURKEYAT A GLANCE
ABOUT YOUR PORT GUIDE
This is your guide to Kusadasi, specially prepared by Princess Cruises. This guideis intended to assist you if you are on ashore excursion, touring independentlyor doing both.
Please note that the information provided isgeneral in nature and is subject to change.
Kusa
dasi
kusa
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Adventures Ashore® Port Guide
K U S A D A S I
GENOESE CASTLELocated on Pigeon Island and connected to townby a causeway, the castle was once home to threeinfamous pirate brothers, who pillaged the coastsof Spain and Italy in the 16th-century; today itis the site of a disco and several teahouses.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERCARAVANSARYThis 300-year-old inn, where caravans wouldspend the night, is now a popular hotel andrestaurant.
POST OFFICE PRINCESS BERTHThis is where your ship will be docked.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERConveniently located opposite the port gates andbefore the shopping area of Kusadasi.
CARAVANSARY (THE KARAVANSERAI OF OKUZ MEHMET PASA)Kusadasi's most famous building was completed in1613 and is characteristic of classic caravansaries ofIstanbul and Bursa. It consists of two floors sur-rounding the colonnaded courtyard that features afountain for ablutions. The building is surroundedby 30-foot high walls, set off by battlements, givingit an almost castle-like appearance. The caravansarywas restored in 1966 and converted into a hotel.
OKUZ MEHMET PASA MOSQUE(THE GRAND MOSQUE)The entrance to the courtyard of this mosque islocated on the left hand side of Tayyare Street.This mosque was built around the same time asthe Caravansary and features an impressive domesupported by flying buttresses, stained glass win-dows and an weathered main door, itself a fineexample of Ottoman woodwork.
THE KALEICI BATHSPart of the Okuz Mehmet Pasa Mosque complexand also built in the early 17th century, the bathsare divided into two sections - one for the menand another for the women. Kusadasi also hasanother bathhouse which was built in the 19thcentury also featuring two sections along the lines of the Kaleici Baths.
HANIM (LADY) MOSQUEOne of the oldest mosques in the region, it has a square floor plan covered by a dome, but the pedestal of the minaret is a hexagon.
SEASHORE PARKA short walk along Ataturk Boulevard, this waterfront park is home to the Peace and Ataturk Monuments.
DENIZI BEACHLocated about a three mile walk from the town,this beach is the town's most popular beach.
THESE SITES CAN BE FOUND ON THEMAP AT THE BACK OF THIS GUIDE
DOCKINGYour Princess ship docks in Kusadasi. Please refer tothe City Map for the specific location.
SHORE EXCURSION DEPARTURESPassengers will meet at a specific location for eachshore excursion departure. Please refer to your tourticket and the Princess Patter for the correct placeand time. Your Shore Excursion staff will be at that location to assist you.
TAXISTaxis are available outside the port gates. Confirm your fare with driver before departing.
SHOPPINGThroughout Turkey, bargaining is expected. As a general rule of thumb, start at about 60 percent of the asking price and be prepared to pay about 75 percent. You’ll find good buys in: Alabaster and Onyx: A wide variety of uniquelycarved objects Pottery Hand-painted Kutahya pieces Clothing: Authentic and modern outfits, slippers and leather goods Jewelry: Colorfully handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings Carpets and Textiles: Beautiful designs in all shapes and sizes Also Brass and Copper
PUBLIC SERVICESBanks: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Museums: Varies, but generally open Tuesdaythrough Sunday from 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Shops: Generally open Monday through Saturdayfrom 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bazaar is located outside the portgates. Souvenir shops usually have longer hours.Post Office: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PROPER ATTIREPlease wear proper attire ashore when planning to visit churches, cathedrals, mosques and othersacred places. Shorts for both men and women areconsidered improper. Women should also cover theirbare shoulders.
LOCAL CUISINE - Food SpecialtiesThe food in Turkey can be a real pleasure, especially if you like seafood. Recommended foods include:
Athopot Salatasi: A cold octopus salad, often withshrimps, and tossed in olive oil, vinegar and parsley
Dolma: The general name for a variety of stuffeddishes, one of the best being mussels stuffed withrice, pine nuts and currants
Grilled Fish: Try palamut (baby tuna), lufer (bluefish) and levrek (sea bass).
Drink Specialties - The national drink is raki,which is similar to Greek ouzo, made from grapesand aniseed. There are also a number of good localwines in Turkey. They include:
Villa Doluca: White and red
Kavaklidere: White and red
It is always recommended that you drink bottled water while in port.
TIPPINGSuggested tipping is 10 percent for good service.
SOME USEFUL WORDS
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . Evet
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hayir
Please . . . . . . . . . . Lutfen
Thank you . . . . . Tesekkur ederim
PRINCESS CRUISES AGENTS
In case of emergency while you are ashore, please contact:
Merkez Deniz AcenteligiVe Ticaret ASPlevne Bulvari # 1/735220 Izmir, Turkey 35220Telephone: 90-232-4217846Telefax: 90-232-4217847
Note: The information in this port guide is subject to change without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience, but Princess Cruises cannot accept responsibility for any such alterations. Thank you.
Places of Interest Practical InformationAdventures Ashore® Port Guide ~ Kusadasi
built to house the statue the multi-breastedgoddess, a popular and powerful symbol of fertility. St. Paul preached against theshrine with mixed results. He later wrotehis Letter to the Ephesians, which remainsone of his finest works.
St. John likely wrote his Gospel here, and addresses part of the Book of Revelation, indicating that he knewthe region well. Among his “Seven Citiesof Asia” are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamumand Sardis. Ephesus was also home toPolycarp, an early bishop and martyr.
Tradition also says that both Mary, themother of Jesus, and John the Evangelistlived at Ephesus during their final years.Mary and John are revered by bothChristians and Moslems.
A visit to Ephesus will put you in touchwith some of this area’s most stunningancient ruins. There is an Odeon, orsmall theater, with a capacity of 1,400.It was also used for public meetings ofthe city council. The Magnesian Gateand Town Hall are near at hand.
The impressive Library of Celsus stands atthe foot of the main street. Its stately two-level facade is being carefully restored.The interior walls were designed to display 12,000 scrolls in niches, whichprotected them from the humidity.
The Temples of Domitian and Hadrian areimpressive, and the Great Theater (which isstill in use) seats 25,000 spectators.
Harbor Street – also known as theArcadian Way – connected the port
district with the center of town.Beautiful colonnades on both sides and marble pavement made a dazzlingfirst impression on visiting dignitaries. It was one of the rare ancient streets to be lit by lamps at night.
Some distance away, you can see theruins of the massive Temple of Artemis,which was several times larger than theParthenon. There had been temples hereas early as the 7th century B.C.; this onewas completed about 430.
Even in its abandoned state, Ephesusremains an awe-inspiring city, in anamazing setting. The Ionians lived welland wisely. Even those who live in greatluxury today must tip their hats to theseimaginative people.
Ruins at Ephesus St. Johns Basilica
GENOESE CASTLELocated on Pigeon Island and connected to townby a causeway, the castle was once home to threeinfamous pirate brothers, who pillaged the coastsof Spain and Italy in the 16th-century; today itis the site of a disco and several teahouses.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERCARAVANSARYThis 300-year-old inn, where caravans wouldspend the night, is now a popular hotel andrestaurant.
POST OFFICE PRINCESS BERTHThis is where your ship will be docked.
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTERConveniently located opposite the port gates andbefore the shopping area of Kusadasi.
CARAVANSARY (THE KARAVANSERAI OF OKUZ MEHMET PASA)Kusadasi's most famous building was completed in1613 and is characteristic of classic caravansaries ofIstanbul and Bursa. It consists of two floors sur-rounding the colonnaded courtyard that features afountain for ablutions. The building is surroundedby 30-foot high walls, set off by battlements, givingit an almost castle-like appearance. The caravansarywas restored in 1966 and converted into a hotel.
OKUZ MEHMET PASA MOSQUE(THE GRAND MOSQUE)The entrance to the courtyard of this mosque islocated on the left hand side of Tayyare Street.This mosque was built around the same time asthe Caravansary and features an impressive domesupported by flying buttresses, stained glass win-dows and an weathered main door, itself a fineexample of Ottoman woodwork.
THE KALEICI BATHSPart of the Okuz Mehmet Pasa Mosque complexand also built in the early 17th century, the bathsare divided into two sections - one for the menand another for the women. Kusadasi also hasanother bathhouse which was built in the 19thcentury also featuring two sections along the lines of the Kaleici Baths.
HANIM (LADY) MOSQUEOne of the oldest mosques in the region, it has a square floor plan covered by a dome, but the pedestal of the minaret is a hexagon.
SEASHORE PARKA short walk along Ataturk Boulevard, this waterfront park is home to the Peace and Ataturk Monuments.
DENIZI BEACHLocated about a three mile walk from the town,this beach is the town's most popular beach.
THESE SITES CAN BE FOUND ON THEMAP AT THE BACK OF THIS GUIDE
DOCKINGYour Princess ship docks in Kusadasi. Please refer tothe City Map for the specific location.
SHORE EXCURSION DEPARTURESPassengers will meet at a specific location for eachshore excursion departure. Please refer to your tourticket and the Princess Patter for the correct placeand time. Your Shore Excursion staff will be at that location to assist you.
TAXISTaxis are available outside the port gates. Confirm your fare with driver before departing.
SHOPPINGThroughout Turkey, bargaining is expected. As a general rule of thumb, start at about 60 percent of the asking price and be prepared to pay about 75 percent. You’ll find good buys in: Alabaster and Onyx: A wide variety of uniquelycarved objects Pottery Hand-painted Kutahya pieces Clothing: Authentic and modern outfits, slippers and leather goods Jewelry: Colorfully handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings Carpets and Textiles: Beautiful designs in all shapes and sizes Also Brass and Copper
PUBLIC SERVICESBanks: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Museums: Varies, but generally open Tuesdaythrough Sunday from 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Shops: Generally open Monday through Saturdayfrom 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bazaar is located outside the portgates. Souvenir shops usually have longer hours.Post Office: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PROPER ATTIREPlease wear proper attire ashore when planning to visit churches, cathedrals, mosques and othersacred places. Shorts for both men and women areconsidered improper. Women should also cover theirbare shoulders.
LOCAL CUISINE - Food SpecialtiesThe food in Turkey can be a real pleasure, especially if you like seafood. Recommended foods include:
Athopot Salatasi: A cold octopus salad, often withshrimps, and tossed in olive oil, vinegar and parsley
Dolma: The general name for a variety of stuffeddishes, one of the best being mussels stuffed withrice, pine nuts and currants
Grilled Fish: Try palamut (baby tuna), lufer (bluefish) and levrek (sea bass).
Drink Specialties - The national drink is raki,which is similar to Greek ouzo, made from grapesand aniseed. There are also a number of good localwines in Turkey. They include:
Villa Doluca: White and red
Kavaklidere: White and red
It is always recommended that you drink bottled water while in port.
TIPPINGSuggested tipping is 10 percent for good service.
SOME USEFUL WORDS
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . Evet
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hayir
Please . . . . . . . . . . Lutfen
Thank you . . . . . Tesekkur ederim
PRINCESS CRUISES AGENTS
In case of emergency while you are ashore, please contact:
Merkez Deniz AcenteligiVe Ticaret ASPlevne Bulvari # 1/735220 Izmir, Turkey 35220Telephone: 90-232-4217846Telefax: 90-232-4217847
Note: The information in this port guide is subject to change without notice. We apologize for any inconvenience, but Princess Cruises cannot accept responsibility for any such alterations. Thank you.
Places of Interest Practical InformationAdventures Ashore® Port Guide ~ Kusadasi
built to house the statue the multi-breastedgoddess, a popular and powerful symbol of fertility. St. Paul preached against theshrine with mixed results. He later wrotehis Letter to the Ephesians, which remainsone of his finest works.
St. John likely wrote his Gospel here, and addresses part of the Book of Revelation, indicating that he knewthe region well. Among his “Seven Citiesof Asia” are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamumand Sardis. Ephesus was also home toPolycarp, an early bishop and martyr.
Tradition also says that both Mary, themother of Jesus, and John the Evangelistlived at Ephesus during their final years.Mary and John are revered by bothChristians and Moslems.
A visit to Ephesus will put you in touchwith some of this area’s most stunningancient ruins. There is an Odeon, orsmall theater, with a capacity of 1,400.It was also used for public meetings ofthe city council. The Magnesian Gateand Town Hall are near at hand.
The impressive Library of Celsus stands atthe foot of the main street. Its stately two-level facade is being carefully restored.The interior walls were designed to display 12,000 scrolls in niches, whichprotected them from the humidity.
The Temples of Domitian and Hadrian areimpressive, and the Great Theater (which isstill in use) seats 25,000 spectators.
Harbor Street – also known as theArcadian Way – connected the port
district with the center of town.Beautiful colonnades on both sides and marble pavement made a dazzlingfirst impression on visiting dignitaries. It was one of the rare ancient streets to be lit by lamps at night.
Some distance away, you can see theruins of the massive Temple of Artemis,which was several times larger than theParthenon. There had been temples hereas early as the 7th century B.C.; this onewas completed about 430.
Even in its abandoned state, Ephesusremains an awe-inspiring city, in anamazing setting. The Ionians lived welland wisely. Even those who live in greatluxury today must tip their hats to theseimaginative people.
Ruins at Ephesus St. Johns Basilica
SIZE
:301,381 sq
. miles, tw
ice thesize o
f Califo
rnia
PO
PU
LATIO
N: 58,580, aro
und
one-fo
urth the U.S. p
op
ulation.
LAN
GU
AG
E:
Turkish is the official
languag
e, but K
urdish and
Arab
ic are also
spo
ken.
CA
PITA
L: Ankara
TYP
E O
F GO
VE
RN
ME
NT:
Rep
ublic
CU
RR
EN
CY:
Turkish Lira
TIME
ZO
NE
:G
MT +
3
Just a few years ago, K
usadasi lookedlike any other sleepy fishing village.T
here were only a few
buildings of note.C
astillo de Santa Catalina, a G
enoesecastle dating from
the 13th century, w
as later used as a base by the pirateBarbarossa and his brothers.
There is also a large C
aravansary built in1613 by the T
urkish governor Mehm
etPasha. O
riginally designed as a haven forpassing m
erchants and their camels, it has
now been renovated as a luxury hotel.
The local Bazaar has also grow
n to be one of T
urkey’s largest markets for leather
goods, jewelry, and oriental rugs. O
nly theG
rand Bazaar in Istanbul is bigger.
The entire tow
n has been transformed
into a center for tourists, with access to
Ephesus and the entire Ionian coast.
Ionian Greeks settled this part of Asia
Minor as early as the 10th-century B.C
.T
hey founded cities around the finestnatural harbors in the M
editerranean,and rapidly becam
e an important com
-m
ercial zone.
These Ionian G
reeks made im
portantcontributions to the com
merce and
culture of the Aegean region. In fact,m
any of the earliest Greek philosophers
and thinkers lived here along the Ioniancoast, and not in m
ainland Greece.
The conflict that led to the G
reek-Persian W
ars also began here. The
Greeks resisted the encroachm
ents of thePersian Em
peror Darius, and later his
son, Xerxes. W
hen Athens and mainland
Greece supported their cousins against
Persia, the conflict became general, and
ended only when the Persians failed to
subdue the Greek cities.
Smyrna m
ay be the birthplace of thepoet H
omer. Since H
omer’s Iliad is
about the siege of Troy, it is significant
that Smyrna is little m
ore than 100m
iles from ancient T
roy. He w
as cer-tainly fam
iliar with the local tales and
legends of the epic siege, on which he
based his work.
East of Smyrna w
as Sardis, capital of the kingdom
of Lydia. The first m
etalcoins w
ere probably minted here. Lydia
conquered Ephesus and established itselfas a regional pow
er.
Pergamum
was once know
n for a hugealtar honoring Zeus. T
he altar was discov-
ered by Germ
an archaeologists a centuryago, and is displayed in a Berlin m
useumtoday. Pergam
um also had one of the
greatest libraries of antiquity, with m
orethan 200,000 volum
es. The only greater
library was at Alexandria in Egypt.
One of the ancient w
orld’s medical
centers was the Asclepeium
there, know
n for healthy spring water, m
assage, m
ud baths, and herbal cures. The great
2nd-century physician Galen w
as a native of Pergam
um.
Ephesus temporarily replaced Sm
yrna asthe com
mercial capital of Asia M
inor untilits river port silted up in the 3rd-century.Another claim
to fame w
as the cult ofArtem
is at Ephesus. A huge temple w
as
Kusadasi: A H
istoric Crossroads of
Empires and Shadow
s of Stature
TU
RK
EY
AT
A G
LAN
CE
AB
OU
T YO
UR
PO
RT G
UID
E
Th
is is you
r gu
ide
to K
usad
asi, spe
cially p
rep
ared
by P
rince
ss Cru
ises. T
his g
uid
eis in
ten
de
d to
assist you
if you
are o
n a
sho
re e
xcursio
n, to
urin
g in
de
pe
nd
en
tlyo
r do
ing
bo
th.
Please no
te that the inform
ation p
rovid
ed is
general in nature and
is subject to
change.
Kusadasi
kusadasi_SHXPRTGDE_0001
Adventures A
shore®Port G
uide
KU
SA
DA
SI