Manisa (Latin: Magnesia) is a large city in Turkey’s Aegean Region and the administrative seat of Manisa Province. Historically, the city was also called Magnesia, and more precisely as Magnesia ad Sipylum, by the name of the Mount Sipylus (Mount Spil) that towers over the city. The English language root words "magnet" and "magnesia", their derivations, as well as their equivalents in many other languages, derive from the city’s name. In Ottoman times, many of the sons of sultans received their education in Manisa and the city is commonly known as "the city of shahzades" (Sehzadeler sehri) in Turkey, a distinctive title it shares only with Amasya and Trabzon. Today, Manisa is a booming center of industry and services, advantaged by its closeness to the international port city and the regional metropolitan center of Izmir and by its fertile hinterland rich in quantity and variety of agricultural production. Formerly spreading out from the immediate slopes of the Mount Sipylus, Manisa’s area of extension more than tripled in size across its vast plain in the last decade, with the construction of new block apartments, industrial zones and Celal Bayar University campus.
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, called as "Turkish Viagra" as well) 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 from Izmir port 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 known as Anemon. 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 Cybele.
Sardis, in 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 silver and golden 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. Sardis was also one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation of St. John.
At Sindelli village there are the fossil foot prints of mankind, belonging to the period of 50-25th century BC.
The ruins of the ancient city of Philadelphia, another of the Seven Churches, lie in the Alasehir area. From the ancient city nothing much left, except some ruins of a Byzantine church.
Houses at Kula are beautiful examples of the Ottoman architecture. Yunt Dagi, Gordes, Kula and Demirci are famous for their precious carpets and kilims. In addition there are many thermal springs throughout the area.
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 from Izmir port 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 known as Anemon. 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 Cybele.
Sardis, in 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 silver and golden 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. Sardis was also one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation of St. John.
At Sindelli village there are the fossil foot prints of mankind, belonging to the period of 50-25th century BC.
The ruins of the ancient city of Philadelphia, another of the Seven Churches, lie in the Alasehir area. From the ancient city nothing much left, except some ruins of a Byzantine church.
Houses at Kula are beautiful examples of the Ottoman architecture. Yunt Dagi, Gordes, Kula and Demirci are famous for their precious carpets and kilims. In addition there are many thermal springs throughout the area.
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