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Foça (Phokaia) which takes its name from sea seals is a sea side district on the north-west of Izmir. Izmir bay on the west, Menemen on the east, Çandarli bay on the north cover the district. The surface is 205 km2.
According to the 2000 census, the total population of town is 36.107
The district has very important archaeological history. The excavations, which started in 1953, reveal theatre from Hellenistic period, Athena Temple and Holy Place, Kybele sanctuary, Harbour Holy Area, Persian Tomb Monument called “Tas Ev”.
Foça Islands, Siren Rocks and Kozbeyli Village take attraction. There is a marina capacity of 150 yachts. Fishing port in Yeni Foça has a capacity of 75 fishing boats.
The district of Foça was declared as “Private Environmental Protect Area” in 1990 and most of the district is under protection. Also, Foça was chosen as a pilot area to save sea seals that give its name to the district by National Seal Committee in 1991.
Tourism is important in Foça and YeniFoça. In the other villages, agriculture goes ahead. Fishing and animal breeding are also another income of the district.
Foça, ancient Focaea, one of the members of Ionian Confederation is located between Çandarli (Ancient Phytane) and Izmir (ancient Smyrna) bays and has always been attractive to the people of ancient and modern world with her natural beauty such as her three sides being surrounded by clear, sparkling blue water (Aegean Sea) her slopes covered with fragrant pine trees and fascinating small islands which resemble fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
The Focaean plain between volcanic low-hills made her fame through historical eras in olivery and vinery. Focaea has the specification of being the closest harbor of Aegean fishing fields. Meanwhile, the Focaean sea shores are very convenient for the fantastic water-sports.
Foca is under the effect of typical Mediterranean climate namely, winters are warm and rainy , summers are dry and hot. However, she always takes the west breeze in the summer from three sides giving very pleasant air-freshness to the area. May through September are ideal months for a beautiful, satisfactory vacation. The average heat of summer months is 26 degrees C and the warmth of water is 22 degrees C.
In Foca, besides the seasonal fishes it is always possible to find the other kinds of delicious fish such as Barbun, Mercan, Çipura, Levrek, Kefal, Mezgit (Bakeleru) in reasonable prices and as very fresh. The native and foreign tourists coming to the town are anxious to consume these delicious, variety-rich sea foods at the local restaurants with sincere atmosphere.
The tourists coming from Marseilles while walking along this fascinating shore of the Aegean sea are always imagining the founders of Marseilles about 2500 years ago and they are fascinated with the resemblance of both cities. More or less Foca and Marseilles have the same scenery.
The town probably took its name from the seals which appeared in the Archaic period on its coins of electrum ( an alloy of gold and silver ).
THE MONK SEALS OF FOÇA
On the world, the monk seals have a population of 350-400. In Foça, these monk seals are settled down on the islands just near Foça.
For the protection of the monk seals Word Wide Foundation (WWF), National Protection of Monk Seals Committee is carrying out studies. They are trying to conserve them and find a few areas in the world.
Whoever comes to this part of Aegean from Marseilles can not go back without seeing Focaea land of their ancestors which we name as the pilgrimage center of the letter. It is a reality that Focaea with her 8000 population is a miniature of Marseilles.
The sea is still keeping its all beauty alive and the nature is still offering the ancient peace-giving life in Focaea.
The History: Focaea along with Miletus was the most important state of Anatolia in the 7th and 6th centuries BC Its importance in view of science, culture and art is out of discussion.
Velia, near Alalia Pastum at Corsica, Marseilles and the eastern shore cities of Spain were the commonwealth of Focaea.
Focaea, who founded more than one dozen colonies on the Anatolian Black Sea coasts, at Dardanelles and at the east Mediterranean in the commercial circles of the then known world, was one of the most flourishing cities of the eastern Hellenic cities around 600 BC
The Focaeans used to make pottery of the silt of Gediz ( Hermos ) river and mint coins in the ceramic moulds.
Their living income was being earned by commerce and navigation. They were in a high stage of ship building. Their 50-rowed ships had spred great fame throughout whole Mediterranean Sea. Focaeans were members of the Ionian ( Panionian ) Confederation which consisted of twelve city-states.
The Foceans along with the yacht-shaped cruise and entertainment ships founded more than 20 trade colonies at the west Mediterranean area.
Especially, the west Mediterranean Focaean colonies became the cultural, philosophic centers of the ancient world. Parmanides of Velia/Italia and zeno have come from Focaeans.
Harpagos carried his units and surrounded Focaea which at that time had reinforced their defense. He also stated that he would become very pleased if the Foceans destroy one of the towers of the city walls for him and allot one of their houses to him. In spite of the fact Foceans had feared being slaves and hating the slavery they got nervous upon receiving this proposal and in order to gain time they said they would answer this proposal next day. And they asked Harpagos to draw his forces back until the due time. Harpagos, however as being aware of their intention he accepted this desire.
As the enemy forces were withdrawn the Foceans ranged their fleet into the sea with receiving with themselves their children, wives, the goods and statues from their temples and all the carriable material except marble and bronze statues, and sailed away towards island Chios. But, the Persians upon returning back to Focaea were faced with an empty city.
On the other hand, after having sailed into the sea they proposed for purchasing the island Danussai from the people of Chios. But Chiosians having the fear of their being competitors in the commerce and establishing a trade center in the hearth of Chiosians did not deem it appropriate. in such a situation Focaeans decided to migrate to island Corsica, they once again returned to Focaea. They destroyed the Persians units which had the administration or the city from Harpagos and which established a garrison in the city and then they decided to condemn those harshly who would have an intention to return to Focaea from their union. They altogether oathed not to return to Focaea again. They threw a piece of iron into the sea and promised that until this piece of iron comes to the surface of the sea nobody would return to Focaea. But, during the tiresome voyage to Corsica many of them broke their promise at the half way and sailed back to their homeland with a great homesickness.
The others keeping their promise went from Danussai to Corsica. During the Byzantine Empire period the city walls of Focaea were almost destroyed. But, Genoese in the time of Byzantine emperor Michael Paleolouge in the year of 1275 received Focaea as wedding gift and founded Yeni Foça ( New Focaea) as an outpost for Focaea.
In those times Yeni Foça was so rich in alum mining. Genoese were operating the mine and paying tax to the Byzantine Empire. Genoese repaired and reconstructed Focaea which then remained in the eastern Roman Empire territory. Thus this city gained its old historical appearance and became an export-import harbor in the commerce taking place between Aegean area and Anatolia.
In the medieval age, after 180 years lasted Geneose sovereignty, Focaea New Focaea were besieged by Mehmet II, the conqueror in 1455 and became part of the Ottoman Empire.
THE PLACES OF INTEREST
SIREN ROCKS
The colorful rocks, from cotton-white to gypsy pink colors, arising as an iceberg in the middle of the sea, the caves embraced with the sea at the shores, wide-spread rocks into the open sea which has shallowness in their surrounding. Among these rock formations there are convenient canals providing passage to the motor-boats.
In the lyric tales of Homeros these rock are mentioned as Siren rockies which were deceiving the sailors and causing them to hit their ships to the rocks. The biggest of the wide-spred seal resembling small island in the Focaea harbor is Orak Island Rockies.
The sirens are female headed, bird bodied, magic voiced creatures that attract sailors. In Odyssey of Homer, one of the worst adventures of Odyssey is the Siren. In this mythology it is believed that all the sailors that heard the sings of Sirens have cast a spell on. Odyssey while passing through the Sirens closes his mouth and closes the ears of his crew so even if he gets the magic and tell his crew to stop, the crew will not hear him and they will pass with safety.
The Tomb Monument
About 7 kms eastward of Focaea, there is a rock-cut tomb which is thought to be a Persian monument built in the 4th century Bc. An entrance to the north leads to the burial room where a grave, rectangular in shape, was cut
into the rock.
City Walls and Five-Gates
In the medieval era the city was surrounded with walls having towers and hatches. In the 17th century in the battle between Turks and Venetian this became a base for the water-cut battery.
Outer Castle
This castle was constructed in 1678 and is very picturesque. There one can see remains of a Turkish bath at the inner part.
The Mosque Fatih
It was built in the honor of Fatih Sultan Mehmet ( the conqueror ). It was reconstructed in the reign of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent.
The Bath of Satan
It was carved in the rocks in the 4th century BC. It was a tomb and has four chambers inside.
Shopping Centers
All of the shops and boutiques are together at the Küçükdeniz district of Focaea.
In these shops they sell leather products, carpets, kilims, copper-ware, onyx, Sile fabrics shirts and suits or dresses. Apart from this, there can be found all kinds of typical souvenirs for the tourists to be presented to their relatives and friends upon returning back home.
The folklore, Music and water-Sports Festival of Focaea take place every year in the third week of June and lasts three days.
German Version
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