Foça, which is 70 km. north - east of İzmir, is one of the most important centers amongst 12 Ion cities, established at Aegean coasts by Ions. Foça, besides its historical and archeological importance, is a mythological settlement whose name is mentioned in Homeros epic.

History

One of the most important centers, established by Ions, who have established numerous settlements here, including Smyrna, and who are escaped from Dor invasion of Greece, is Foça. Antic Foça city is included by 12 Ion union, is at the Aiolis region. Foça, who took Antic city Phokaia name from "seals", was an important harbor and had an important naval forces at their era. Foça, had established colonies in cities at eastern costs of Marsala and Spain, Velia near Pastum and Alain of Corsica with its naval fleet. Foça had lived Persia, Alexander the Great, Genevians and Ottoman eras.

Phokaia city, which had entered into development period, beginning from 7th century B. C., had shown great improvement in sailing according to "Father of History", Heredot. Phokaians, who were using fast ships with 50 shovels and 500 passenger transportation power, were the first Helens who go for long sea voyage. They have introduced Adriatic Etruria, İberia and Tartessos to Helen world.

Climate

Totally Mediterranean climate is reigning in Foça. It passes as hot and dry during summers and warm and rainy during winters. It takes a windy sea weather from three sides. Average temperature of summer months is 26 degrees, and its sea water temperature is 22 degrees. Hottest months of summer are July and August.

Where to Visit

Siren Rocky Place

It is mentioned in Homeros epic, and described as rocks to where ships who loose their way crashes. Biggest one of these rocky place, composed of islands which reminds like seal fishes is Orak Island Rocky Place.

Şeytan Hamamı (Satan's Hamam)

Tomb type structure at the feet of Çan peak, is known as Şeytan Hamamı (Satan's Hamam). It is 2 km. away from province center.

CASTLES

Beş Kapılar Castle

This antic castle is given to Manuel Zacharna from Genevese by Michel Paleoloc and its ramparts are repaired by Genevan people within time. After join of Phokaia to Ottoman land on 1455, ramparts are repaired and nine of them have been equipped with towers which can be spotted today. Part, which is used as open air Theater today in Beş Kapılar was "boathouse". According to the inscription over entrance door, this repair is done between 1538 - 1539 by Silahtar İskender Ağa, woodsman of the Sultan Mustafa Han, who was Saruhan State Principal between 1533 and 1541, son of Magnificient Süleyman.

External Castle Castle

Referred as "External Castle or Genevese Castle" at "Castle Bay" at south west of Foça, according to the sources, is constructed as a cutthroat by Ottomans on a strategic point to guard the region on 1678. Castle which is on a cape, is separated from the continent via a huge trench with the aim of guarding. During underwater archeological studies, stone shots are found at the bottom of the sea in front of the castle. It is thought that these shots are fired via catapults from castle to enemy ships.

MOSQUES

Fatih Mosque

It is on the Eski Adliye Sokak within Castle. Mosque is a structure which had lost its uniqueness while reaching today. On 1455, after the conquest of Foça, it was constructed by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. During its initial construction, it was holding the classical Ottoman architectural style.

Kayalar Mosque

It is within castle. Construction date and constructing person not known mosque, is showing all of the characteristics of late period Ottoman architecture style. A formerly added water tank with fountain (Şadırvan) is present at the west of the structure.

Hafız Süleyman Ağa Small Mosque

Structure, known as Süleyman Ağa Mescidi among public, is constructed by Foça Castle Guard, Hamzaoğlu Mustafa on 1548. But it is understood from today's appearance that structure had been variously repaired during latter periods.

TURKISH BATHS

Only two Turkish baths could survive from Ottoman period. Both of them are in the Atatürk District. Turkish bath on the corner of 115 and 116 streets, can be classified as dome at the middle, horizontal heated, double gaped Turkish Bath. Its undressing part is completely demolished. Other Turkish bath in 118 numbered street, is highly damaged. It has a different architecture compared with known Turkish Baths, it is thought that this is constructed later than the other one.

FOÇA ISLANDS

This is an island group, composed of six desolate islands in front of Foça. These are: Orak Island, İncir Island, Kartdere Island, Fener Island, Hayırsız Island and Metalik Island. There is a long bushy beach at the south coast of Orak Island, and also sheer cliffs with 80 meter high in Orak and Hayırsız, Kartdere Islands. Especially İncir Island is used as picnic area and beach by tourists and natives. Islands and surrounding bays, shelters one of the last Mediterranean seal colonies in Turkey.

Taş Ev (Rock House)

This rocky monument tomb rising at the side of the road 10 km. away from Foça, is half cut. Structure, constructed under Persia impact, is constructed under Lycia - Lydia tradition, and dated on 4th century B. C..

SEA FISHES

Friends of sailors of Foça, who did not leave sailors alone during sailors' struggles against sea for centuries, are sweet seals. Mediterranean seals, whose total number in the world is approximately between 350 and 400, are only living in Turkey, Greece and North - Western African coasts. Some portion of Mediterranean seals are settled in islands surrounding Foça. In spite of increasing tourism and fishing, they are using the caverns, coasts in these islands with the aim of bringing forth juveniles, to bring up their juveniles, to rest and sun themselves. Mediterranean seals, whose name is " Monachus Monachus" in Latin, needs to land, and signs of human on their residential areas annoy them. This specie is one of the 12 mammals who are under the danger of annihilation of its generation on the world.

For protection of Mediterranean seals living in Foça islands, it is forbidden to come near more than 2 miles to islands between Aslanburnu and Deveboynu Cape, also to come near more than 100 meters to Siren Rocky Places and Orak Island, on where seals are seen.

SPORTIVE ACTIVITIES

Fishing

Income of Foça public is based on fishing as much as tourism. The only unchanged truth of Foça's people for centuries is to earn their living from sea. Foça's people, who are fisherman like their ancestors are trusting and free. Region, according to richness of fish kinds, is preserving its importance at Aegean coasts. It is possible to find tasteful fishes, like red mullet, coral fish, Chrysophrys aurata, sea bass, grey mullet, whiting, as daily, fresh and cheap by means of fishermen of Foça. While fishermen are sipping their teas during the redness of sunset, fishes collected by their nets are being prepared in restaurants for serving to the visitors of Foça.

What to Eat

Traditional Foça kitchen includes all of the meals, made at Western Anatolian coasts and Aegean islands with its general characteristics. In addition to this, some of Foça unique tastes cooked with fish kinds, sea foods, olive, olive oil, artichoke and wild herbs are at the following: Grilled Sardine, Fish with Yogurt, Stuffed Calamary, Stuffed Fish, Fish Soap, Fish Paça, Artichoke with Lamb Meat, Stuffed Artichoke with Olive Oil can be listed between meals of the region.

Great salads, appetizers and pastry fillings are prepared from herbs like arapsaçı, rezene, tarakotu ( iğnelik ), turpotu, radika, ısırgan otu, ebegümeci, wild herbs which grew up in Foça and environment.

Don't Leave Without

Seeing Stone Home monumental tombs,

Visiting Foça Islands giving shelter to Mediterranean seals,

Eating fresh sea crops.

Source: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism