How It's Built - Kusadasi

OVERVIEW

See architectural treasures that reflect how the urban landscape in and around Kusadasi has been transformed over the centuries. A look at the 14th-century Kusadasi Castle will reveal how the city protected itself against invading pirates while the 17th-century high-walled caravanserai only looks like a fortification. It was built as a roadside inn that welcomed travelers and traders on the Silk Road. Statesman and military leader Öküz Mehmed Pasha initiated the caravanserai building project as well as the grand Kaleici Camii mosque, both of which you will visit. The nearby village of Sirince will offer a more traditional perspective as its residences are uniformly white with red-tiled roofs. Although only one column of the Temple of Artemis in nearby Ephesus remains, this Wonder of the Ancient World will present a window into the past especially with the guide’s description. Free time in Old Town will encourage an even deeper exploration of Kusadasi’s architecture and history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover how the urban landscape in and around Kusadasi has evolved over the centuries.
• Learn about past pirate invasions while exploring Kusadasi Castle.
• Visit a 17th-century roadside inn for travelers on the Silk Road that ran through Kusadasi.
• See the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Explore a hilltop village that exemplifies traditional rural life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.