During my cruise along the west coast of Turkey, I had a short stopover in the city of Kusadasi. I was attracted to an island in the sea. This city is located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, that is very picturesque. There are many large and small islands. Basically, these islands belong to Greece. Winds constantly blow on the Aegean Sea and this causes beautiful crimson sunsets, which set directly into the sea, beyond the horizon.
While planning to visit the city of Kusadasi, I noticed on the map a strange island on which stands the Gรผvercinada Kalesi fortress, which protected the port at the mouth of Kusadasi Bay. This island is connected to the city by a pedestrian zone. That's why I decided to definitely go for a walk there.
Previously, this island was called "Kushadasi" - bird island, because many birds nested here. Already after a city arose near the island, the name Kusadasi was transferred to it. And the island came to be called Gyverjinada, which is translated from Turkish as Pigeon Island.
The fortress is included in the Provisional UNESCO World Heritage List "Fortresses and masonry settlements on the Genoese trade route from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea"
We drove up and stopped on the highway, as always we turned on the "emergency" because there was no established parking place. Entrance to the island is free. We walked along the causeway that connects the island to the mainland, along which boats and yachts were parked, and approached the fortress defense wall. Here we were met by small newborn cute kittens :)
We climbed the stairs, entered the majestic wooden gate and found ourselves behind the stone defensive wall, which fascinates with its power and beauty.
I approached the wall itself and looked outside, from where you can see the incredibly beautiful rocky shores of the island, overgrown with beautiful multi-colored plants. The waves of the sea hit the rocks and give a feeling of harmony and grandeur of this historical and legendary place.
The water of the Aegean Sea fascinates with its transparency and shades of turquoise. And in the distance you can see blue mountains.
Walking among olive trees and gorgeous flowers, I felt protected and at peace behind these historic stone walls. I hope you also enjoyed walking with us. I regret that I was not able to post more beautiful photos that I took in this unique place. Because my phone crashed and I lost my photos ๐ข
A sculpture of Hayreddin Pasha, which stands near the main tower, sometimes seems to glance at the unarmed cruise ships approaching the shores.
Already leaving the city of Kusadasi, we approached the highest park, where you could take a photo of the island from a height.
I found on Google:
Kusadasi fortress was an island. But now it is connected to the land by an embankment, where there are pleasure yachts that take tourists on excursions by sea.
The construction was supervised by the Ottoman admiral KhayraddDin Barbarossa. The fortress became one of his bases. It had powerful walls surrounding it on all sides, which were supposed to protect the Turks from attack. The walls of the fortress stand around the perimeter of the island, about 3 meters high. The entrance gate of the fortress faces the land and is protected by two - pentagonal and cylindrical - towers. In the center of the fortress there is a tower - a castle of Genoese construction, although some say it was built by a Turkish admiral.
I hope I was able to convey to you my pleasure from staying in this unique place!
Thanks for the great initiative #wednesdaywalk by @tattoodjay :)
And we continue to be on our #TheLongestTrip. Thank you all for your visit and support ๐