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Manisa
Manisa is an attractive, modern city with a far-reaching past. Its history goes
back to 500 BC but the first known settlements date to the 14th century BC.
Since the great Ottoman Sultans chose Manisa as the training ground for crown
princes, there are many examples of Ottoman architecture, as well as Seljuk. The
Sultan Mosque of the 16th-century was built for Ayse Sultan, mother of Suleyman
the Magnificent. In her honor, the Mesir Macunu Festival (Spiced Candy which is
supposed to restore health, youth and potency) is held every year in March, in
the grounds of this mosque. The Muradiye Mosque of the 16th-century was built by
the great architect Sinan, and the Murad Bey Medresse now houses the
Archaeological Museum of Manisa.
Manisa celebrates the annual Vintage Festival every September, when bringing in
the fruits of the vineyards is celebrated with excitement. The vineyards
surround the city and provide dry fruit for export and grapes for wine making.
The Spil Mountain National Park is a cool spot with a richly forested area, hot
springs and a profusion of flowers, especially wild tulips. There are about 120
kinds of endemic plants here. You may go mountaineering or camping in this area
as well as seeing the famous "crying rock" of Niobe, and the carving of Goddess
Kybele.
Sardis, in Manisa-Salihli is one of the most remarkable sightseeing areas of
Turkey. It is the ancient capital of Lydia, once ruled by King Croesus, who was
the first one to use coinage in exchange for goods. Since Sardis encountered
earthquakes, most of the remains date back only to Roman times. There are the
remains of the temple of Artemis and a restored gymnasium, exhibiting of the
past splendor of this ancient city. The splendid Synagogue from the 3rd Century
is worth visiting, with its elaborate mosaics and artfully carved colored-stone
panels. At Sindelli village there are the fossil foot prints of mankind,
belonging to the period of 25-50-century BC.
The ruins of the ancient city of Philadelphia lie in the Alasehir area. Houses
at Kula are beautiful examples of Ottoman architecture. For the worshippers of
beautiful carpets, Yunt Dagi, Gordes, Kula and Demirci are famous for their
precious carpets, rugs and kilims. In addition there are many thermal springs
throughout the area.
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