IZMIR TURKEY

Izmir (Turkish: İzmir) is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.95 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey. The ancient city was known as Smyrna, and the city was generally referred to as Smyrna in English, until the Turkish Postal Services Law of 1930 made "Izmir" the internationally recognised name.


This post is part of the Mellow Yellow Monday meme.

The Izmir Clock Tower, a beautiful marble tower that rests in the middle of the Konak district, standing 25 m (82 ft) in height. It was designed by the Levantine French architect Raymond Charles Père in 1901 for the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the ascension of Abdülhamid II to the Ottoman throne in 1876. The clock workings themselves were given as a gift by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, a political ally of Abdülhamid II. The tower features four fountains which are placed around the base in a circular pattern, and the columns are inspired by North African themes.

The Government House of Izmir was built in 1868 - 1872.  The Turkish army entered the city on 9 September 1922when this edifice was captured, it became synonymous with victory of the Turks over the Greeks. The building burned down in 1970 and was rebuilt after 1980, according to the original plans and the facade.

The Ataturk Museum was built between 1875-1880 by a carpet merchant, Takfor, as a residence. It was nationalised after it was abandoned by its owner on 9 September 1922. After entering Izmir, the Turkish Army used the building as its headquarters. During Izmir Economy Congress Meeting, which started on 17 February 1923, Ataturk carried out his private studies in this building. After the Congress, headquarters were moved from this building and the Treasury leased it to Naim Bey to be used as a hotel. During their visit to Izmir on 16 June 1926, Ataturk and Ismet Pasha stayed in this hotel named as Naim Palas. On 13 October 1926 the Izmir Municipality purchased the building and after refurbishing it presented to Ataturk as a gift. During his visits to Izmir between 1930 and 1934, Ataturk always stayed in this residence. After Ataturk's death on 10 November 1938, the building was inherited by his sister Makbule Baysan. On 25 September 1940 Izmir Municipality expropriated the building in order to convert it to a museum. On 11 September 1941, on the 19th Anniversary of Ataturk's arrival in Izmir, the museum was opened to public with an official ceremony. After 5 October 1962, the museum has been named 'Ataturk Provincial Public Library and City of Izmir Ataturk Museum'. 

Sunset on the Izmir esplanade - Gundogdu Square. The Republic Tree statue can be seen on the left. 

The Republic Tree Statue which is located in the center of Gundogdu Square, symbolises Atatürk and his cavalry during the independence war (Kurtuluş Savaşı). The base of the sculpture has engraved on it the history of the Turkish Republic.