A model new climbing path, positioned within the İzmir area, goals to protect the cultural heritage of the nation’s most iconic websites.
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To say that Turkey is a superb nation is an understatement, and guests wanting to soak up its huge and sophisticated historical past will probably want a number of visits. However fortunately, curious vacationers can now delve into the nation’s previous because of the Efeler Manner (Yolu) cultural route, a 500-kilometer marked climbing path that passes by way of the İzmir area.
The path, which crosses the Bozdağ Mountains, winds by way of the Kiraz Highlands, splits the Aydın Mountains and ends on the Home of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, was designed to showcase the historic Efe/Zeybek tradition.
Hikers will cross by way of 28 villages, every of which has been house to varied historical civilizations. They are going to thus have the chance to find the practices and customs of the inhabitants and to immerse themselves of their lifestyle.
In 2023, the route joined the checklist of “Inexperienced Locations Prime 100 Tales” as a consequence of its efforts to protect the pure, historic and cultural riches of the area.
Does that tempt you? This is what awaits you.
Nazarköy
This picturesque village (initially named Kürüdere) lies on the foot of the magnificent Kürüdere nature reserve. With few inhabitants (as few as 350 folks by some estimates), it is a quiet place, splendid for taking a break throughout your lengthy journey.
Considered one of its traits is the presence of “pearls of safety in opposition to the evil eye”. It is because of this that the village was renamed Nazar, which suggests “evil eye”. Product of glass, these brightly coloured spheres date once more to shamanic occasions and are meant to push back the “jealous gaze.” Guests can see how they’re made in one of many area’s glassblowing workshops. In Could, the Nazarköy Bead Competition is a chance to find the neighborhood’s most subtle works, together with necklaces, earrings and ornaments.
Bozdag
In case you’re contemplating this path, it is most likely since you get pleasure from outside actions. You’ll then have the ability to observe the breathtaking topography of the Bozdağ mountains, a spotlight. Within the eponymous village, positioned on the slopes of Mount Bozdağ, there are snow-covered roofs and protruding minarets. The village is actually small (barely greater than 500 inhabitants on the final depend), however it attracts skiers, hikers and mountaineers from all around the world attracted by the summit of the mountain which rises to 2156 meters.
Climbing is especially fashionable right here, with varied routes supplied, from the favored “Basic” to the extra technical and troublesome “Dik Deresi”. You do not have to be a mountaineer to succeed in the summit, walkers will get there. The principle highway is well satisfactory, however it may be steep in locations, so be sure you are nicely outfitted. Count on to traverse forested slopes, see grazing mouflons and benefit from the well-deserved reward of magnificent views of the Ödemis Valley.
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Additional down, within the shadow of Bozdağ, lies the traditional city of Birgi. Typically thought-regarding one of many prettiest cities in Turkey, it’s steeped in historical past (its first inhabitants have been the Phrygians), which has earned it inclusion on the UNESCO “tentative checklist” and to be one of the vital lovely levels of the cultural route.
Ottoman structure is predominant, with two-story, courtyard homes lining tiny streets, lots of that are cul-de-sacs. Go to the Ulucami Mosque, inbuilt 1312, whose partitions are manufactured from marble and the minaret manufactured from glazed bricks. Inside, the intricate, brightly coloured Seljuk tiles fascinate, whereas the walnut door to the mosque’s minbar required 3,000 items of wooden and made headlines when it was stolen in 1993 (it later discovered).
Sirince
Simply 12 kilometers from the traditional metropolis of Ephesus is Şirince. It has traditionally thrived on its agricultural produce similar to figs, olives, vines and greens, making it a perfect place to pattern the native delicacies; we advocate you to strive pekmez (molasses) out there.
Şirince additionally has nice know-how relating to wine. You’ll be able to stroll by way of lush vineyards and e-book a tasting to style the area’s finest wines, created from an endemic grape selection. Whether or not you favor a full-bodied or balanced wine, there’s something for everybody.
Automotive-free, the cobbled streets of Şirince are a paradise for walkers. Contemplate taking a visit to the bazaar to see the villagers’ work, together with handmade clothes and jewellery, in addition to conventional Turkish espresso.
Mount Nif and the Karabel bas-relief
The Efeler Yolu Cultural Route is picturesque, filled with preserved villages and rolling rural landscapes full of canyons, waterfalls and mountains. In addition to Bozdağ, one other peak stands out for its magnificence and historic traces.
Vacationers can admire the majestic Mount Nif (and climb it for breathtaking views from the summit) on the second half of the path. Not solely does this imposing rock rise to an altitude of 1,510 meters, however it’s also distinguished from different rocks within the chain by its border with the Karabel cross. The curious will have the ability to uncover the well-known bas-relief of Karabel, a monument carved into the mountain representing the native Luwian chief “Tarkasnawa, king of Mira”, which dates from 1350 BC.
