İzmir becomes a holiday paradise in summers with its surrounding towns that have a coast to the sea.. Most of the time, those living in İzmir do not benefit from these holiday centers and cannot have information; Those who come from outside benefit from these blessings to the fullest.
Each of these districts, which have turned into a holiday paradise, also hosts important events in the historical context.
We are in Foça, named after the seals that lived in the surrounding islands in the past.. Foça is known as “Old Foça” when the town of Foça comes together with the town of Yeni Foça, which is affiliated to it. It was an advanced maritime city that established colonies in Lesvos, Lapseki and Marseille.
Foça was a historical city that also hosted the first coins minted with a mixture of gold and silver.
Çaka Bey, Saruhan, respectively. Foça, which came under Ottoman rule with the Principality and Fatih Sultan Mehmet; After the occupation of the Greeks, it was saved when Atatürk entered the district.
From the moment we enter Foça, we encounter symbols resembling seals.. The logo of the mayor’s office also consists of a seal figure.
When we go back to Foça’s past, the Mediterranean monk seal, which has an economic value especially in ancient times because its oil and skin were used for different purposes, is also a place in mythology. It was believed that seals were under the protection of the sea god Poseidon and the sun god Apollo.. Since the ancient Greeks named the Mediterranean monk seal with the word phoka (foka), which means chubby animal, it is thought that the name Foça derives from here.
The place where life is best felt in Foça is undoubtedly the district center.. Facing the intense interest of holidaymakers, especially in the summer months, Foça offers one-to-one opportunities for those who want to spend their holiday with the sea, sand and sun trio.
While walking on its palm tree-lined coast, we come across people sunbathing on the beaches and swimming in the sea.. With the free municipal car park application, random parking of cars in the city has been prevented to a large extent.. Especially the bank signs look very stylish.
Foça Municipality, which is located right across the cafes where vacationers cool off under umbrellas and have a drink, is also in a structure suitable for the general appearance of the district with its cute low-rise appearance.
While the shadow cools in a place and watches passers-by, an old uncle comes to us. Thinking that we are strangers to Foça, he introduces himself and starts talking right after:
“There is a stone in Foça whose whereabouts are unknown and it is called Karataş.. It can be any paving stone, it just stands before our eyes as a stone; or underground, meters below one of the cobblestones that we walk on every day without seeing or knowing.. I guess that’s where the mystery and charm comes from.. It’s an unknown stone, but the legend it causes is even more appealing.
“Whoever it is; If he steps on Karataş, whose whereabouts are unknown in Foça; His prudence is tied and he finds the desire to settle in Foça and be here always.. Wherever his path goes, the person who steps on Karataş will definitely return to Foça one day…”
There is Karataş; Everyone knows it but no one knows where it is. There is no way anyone can step on this stone while wandering around and cannot leave Foça again.. Even if he has a hard time and goes somewhere, he always comes back to Foça.. Once you see your way to Foça, everyone who can come to Foça and catch its magical atmosphere is wandering around the streets when they hear this story.. Maybe I’ll hit Karataş in the hope that I’ll stay in this liveable town.. In our opinion, Karataş is everywhere in Foça.. It is not possible to see Foça and not love it, because it is not possible to come back.”
After this impressive explanation, we ask the uncle “where are you from?” He says…
He states that he is from Istanbul and may have stepped in Karataş.
This uncle, who looks well-off in his clothing and clothing, is devoted to Foça.. In many seaside towns you can already meet such people.. Maybe the effect of the sea means peace for people, especially during their retirement periods.
I set out thinking that I haven’t stepped into Karataş yet.
Maybe Foça is a summer place for the people of İzmir; however, it is a very unspoilt settlement that still makes people fall in love with it with its historical experiences.
PLACES TO SEE IN PARIS II: FROM NOTRE DAME TO MARAIS AND POMPIDOU
