Kuşadası (Turkish:[ˈkuʃadasɯ]) is a municipality and districtofAydın Province, Turkey.[2] Its area is 265 km2,[3] and its population is 130,835 (2022).[1] It is a large resort town on the Aegean coast. Kuşadası is 95 km (59 mi) south of İzmir, and about 60 km (37 mi) west of Aydın. The municipality's primary industry is tourism. The mayor of the district is Ömer Günel.[4]
Sign on KuşadasıGüvercinada ("Pigeon Island") derives its name in a similar fashion to Kuşadası ("Bird Island").
The name Kuşadası comes from the Turkish words kuş (bird) and ada (island), as the island has the shape of a bird's head (when seen from the sea).[5] It was known as Ephesus Neopolis (Greek: Ἔφεσος Νεόπολις) during the Byzantine era, and later as Scala NovaorScala Nuova under the Genoese and Venetians.[6]Kuş Adası was adopted in its place during the Ottoman period at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the citizens of Kuşadası often shorten the town's name to Ada.
The area has been a centre of art and culture since some of the earliest recorded history, and has been settled by many civilizations since being founded by the Leleges people in 3000 BC. Later settlers include the Aeolians in the 11th century BC and Ionians in the 9th. Originally, seamen and traders built a number of settlements along the coastline, including Neopolis.
An outpost of Ephesus in ancient Ionia, known as Pygela (Πύγελα) was located in the area between the Büyük Menderes (Maeander) and Gediz (Hermos) rivers. The original Neopolis, is thought to have been founded on the nearby point of Yılancı Burnu. Later settlements were probably built on the hillside of Pilavtepe, in the district called Andızkulesi today. Kuşadası was a minor port frequented by vessels trading along the Aegean coast. In antiquity it was overshadowed by Ephesus, until Ephesus' harbor silted up. From the 7th century BC onwards the coast was ruled by Lydians from their capital at Sardis, then from 546 BC the Persians, and from 334 BC, along with all of Anatolia, the coast was conquered by Alexander the Great. From that point on the coastal cities in Anatolia became a centre of Hellenistic culture.
The Roman Empire took possession of the coast in the 2nd century BC and made it their provincial capital[7] in the early years of Christianity. Saint John the Evangelist and (according to Roman Catholic sacred tradition) the Virgin Mary both came to live in the area, which in the Christian era became known as "Ania".
AsByzantine, Venetian and Genoese shippers began to trade along the coast, the port was re-founded (by the name of Scala NovaorScala Nuova, meaning "New Port"), a garrison was placed on the island, and the town centre shifted from the hillside to the coast.
Long afterwards, in 1834, the castle and garrison on the island were rebuilt and expanded, becoming the focus of the town. This was to such an extent that people began to refer to the whole town as Kuşadası (bird island). However, in the 19th century, trade began to decline in favor of other nearby cities with the opening of the İzmir-Selçuk-Aydın railway, which bypassed Kuşadası.[8] From 1867 until 1922, Kuşadası was part of Aidin Vilayet.
During the Turkish War of Independence, Kuşadası was occupied from 1919-1922, first by Italian troops between 14 May 1919 and 24 May 1922, and then by Greek troops. The Turkish forces led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk eventually gained control of the city on September 7, 1922.[9]
The city is situated along a gulf of the same name in the Aegean. The island of Güvercinada (in English: Pigeon Island) is connected to mainland Kuşadası by a causeway, and is situated adjacent to the large hill of Kese Dağı near the center of town.
It is located 95 km (59 mi) south of İzmir, the area's metropolitan centre, and approximately 60–70 km (37–43 mi) in driving distance from the provincial seat of Aydın, depending on the route taken. Its neighbours are Selçuk to the north, Germencik to the north-east, and Söke to the east and south.
The district of Kuşadası had a total resident population of 130,835 in 2022, though the actual population is thought to rise to well over half a million in the summer months due to a significant influx of both domestic and international tourists as well as those visiting family or returning to their summer residence. This also includes the hotel and bar staff, construction workers, and drivers who are required to work in/for the restaurants and other services accommodating these visitors. In addition to tourists from overseas, there is also a substantial community of foreigners that have permanently settled in the area.
Kuşadası caters to tourists arriving by land, or from the port for cruise ship passengers heading to Ephesus. In a controversial deal in 2003[citation needed], the previously public-owned port was leased to a private company and renovated to attract luxury cruise liners.
There is public transport within the town and to nearby locations via shuttle minibuses (dolmuş).[14] There are bus and taxi services going to the nearby airports in İzmir and in Bodrum, Muğla Province.[15] Day trips are available by boat from Kuşadası and Güzelçamlı.[16]
Güvercin Adası ("Pigeon Island" in English) – The peninsula/island at the end of the bay, which has a castle and swimming beaches, including a private beach and cafe with a view back across the bay to the harbour of Kuşadası. Public beaches are located at the back of the peninsula, towards the open sea.[24]
Kirazli – Traditional Turkish village 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Kuşadası.[25]
Yılancı Burnu – A second peninsula beyond Güvercin Ada. Possibly the location of the original settlement of Neopolis. Some walls are visible. There are beaches and beach clubs here.[26]
Several aqua-parks with wave-pools and white-water slides are located near the town.[27]
Ladies Beach – Very close to the town center, one of the primary tourist attractions.[28]
Kadıkalesi – Venetian/Byzantine castle, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) along the Kuşadası-Davutlar road.[29]
Panionium – 25 km (16 mi) south of Kuşadası, situated along the Davutlar-Güzelçamlı road. Once the central meeting place of the Ionian League. The ruins are in poor condition and their authenticity is disputed.[30]
Dilek Peninsula-Büyük Menderes Delta National Park – About 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of the city centre, the national park is adjacent to the town of Güzelçamlı. It has several coves, beaches, canyons, and a sink cave. It is one of the most diverse and protected national parks in Turkey.[31]
An annual song contest has been held here. It was once won by Cem Karaca.
The annual Fanta Gençlik Festivali (Fanta Youth Festival), hosted by the Turkish franchise of Fanta (see International availability of Fanta), travels across the country on specific dates, holding concerts at each location. On July 17, 2010, the festival hosted one of the concerts of this festival in Kuşadası.[32]
The Kuşadası Gençlik Festivali (Kuşadası Youth Festival, not to be confused with the above) has been hosted annually since 2016 at Sevgi Plajı (Love Beach), one of the main beaches situated on the coast of the district's Davutlar locality – roughly a 17 km (11 mi) drive south from central Kuşadası, serviced regularly by dolmuş departing from the city. Facilitated each year in July over the course of five days with a total of over 30 artists performing, the festival saw an estimated turnout of about 90,000 people in its 2017 iteration according to its promoters.[33] Since its inception, it has continuously grown in popularity and has become among the most regarded music festivals in Turkey.[34]
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