FOCA (Phokaia)

All kinds of products are grown in this region because of the favourable Mediterranean climate. The tourism and fishing sectors are well developed thanks to the location of the district on the coast. There are rich mineral deposits in the region such as kaolin and puzan marilen. There is a marine with a capacity for 70 yachts. Favourable conditions are available for sailing. Foça that is under special protection has a potential for Ecological – tourism. With its history of 3000 years Foça has a key position with regard to cultural tourism.

 

A picturesque fishing town 72 km north of Izmir. A magnet for holiday makers during summer today, Foca was an important Ionian town in antiquity. The Phokaians were famed for their commercial prowess, courage and seamanship. They established trading cololnies at distant ports, and were the founders of the French port of Marseilles (the ancient Massalia). The ancient Phocaea, Foça once formed part of the lonian Federation. Today it is a modern, lively holiday town on two deep bays. The pleasant accommodations, clean beaches and inviting restaurants make it an attractive holiday spot. Those seeking the perfect tan can find it on the natural rock terraces of Siren Islands. Foça is one of the most important centers that established by Ions who escaped due to the dor invasion from Greece to Agean Coasts and they established many settlement places including Smyrna. Ancient Foça (Phokea)was include to 12 Ionian Unions.

 

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 carriying out studies. They are trying to conservate them and find a few areas in the world.
It is considered that Foça’s name come from the seals and it had an important harbor and sea force in its period. Foça found colonies on Alain in Korsica, Velia near Pastum and the cities that stood in the East Coast of Marsilia and Spain with its sea-squadron. Foça was added to the land of Leukos in Grand Philip�s and Genovians took hold of Foça in the 12th and 13th centuries. Foça was destroyed by Genovians in this period and New Foça was found on the North-East . It was added to Ottoman�s Land by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1455. Roaster and Seal are the two symbols of Foça, which the places and monuments that worth seeing listed below:

Siren Rocky

Siren Rocky Places: It takes place in Momeros Legend. It tells about that the ships which mislead their routes and crushed these mocky places.

 

Stone House: This monumental grave that rises near the road before 10 kms. to Foça. This Stone House is built by like that Lykia, Lydia in 4 B.C.

Satan Bath: It stands in slope of the can peak and the errection is like a rocky grave and it is 2 kms. further from the city center.

Five Gates Castle: When this ancient castle was given as a gift to the Genovian Micheal Paleolok in 1275, the city walls were repaired by the Genovians.
The Exterior Castle: It was built by Ottomans as cut-straits in 1678.

Fatih Mosque: It was ordered to be built by Fatih Sultan Mehmet after conquest of Foça in 1455. It is a mosque of classical. Ottoman architectural style. When it was recontricted in 1575 there was II. Selim at the list of the Ottoman Emperor.

Rock Mosque: This mosque, which its errection date and the errector is not known, carries all of the features of late Ottoman Artitectural Style.