Ancient City Smyrna

Settlement in the area around Smyrna dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. A fortified settlement was founded by Aeolian Greeks in the late 9th century BC and later expanded into a polis by Ionian Greeks. In the 8th to 7th centuries BC, Old Smyrna experienced its first golden age before being destroyed by the Lydian king Alyattes around 600 BC. A new foundation took place in the late 4th century BC by Antigonus I Monophthalmus, who established a new city southwest of the old settlement. Thanks to its harbor, this developed into one of Asia's wealthiest trading cities and became known as the “Ornament of Ionia.” Smyrna sided with Rome in the conflict against Antiochus III and demonstrated loyalty in later wars. After severe earthquakes in 178 and 180 AD, the city was rebuilt at the initiative of Aelius Aristides and with the support of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. As an important center of early Christianity, Smyrna was one of the seven churches of the Revelation of John. In the Byzantine Empire, the city maintained its importance as a trading and naval base but was repeatedly attacked and conquered by Arabs and Seljuks. In the 14th century, control of Smyrna changed hands several times between Byzantium, the Aydınoğulları, and the Knights Hospitaller, before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in 1390. After a brief conquest by Tamerlane in 1403, Ottoman rule stabilized from 1422 onwards.

The ancient city of Smyrna is located in the present-day city of İzmir, in the district of the same name and the Aegean region of Turkey. It lies at an elevation of approximately 7 meters above sea level.

The remains of the ancient city are now accessible to visitors and can be explored.

• Kadifekale Fortress (Fortress), approx. 0.9 km away
• Ancient City of Smyrna Theatre (Ancient Structures), approx. 1.3 km away
• Ancient City of Metropolis (Ancient Structures), approx. 36.3 km away
• Ancient City of Teos Theatre (Ancient Structures), approx. 40.6 km away