Agora Open Air Museum in Izmir

If you have heard many times that Izmir is one of the oldest regions in Turkey and the world, do not doubt it; the number of historical attractions in this area is so great that if you want to list them all or visit them, you must stay in this city for several months. Hence, some of its historical attractions, such as the Agora Open Air Museum, date back to ancient Greece or even earlier.

Izmir Agora at a Glance

Izmir Agora (Turkish: İzmir Agorası), was built in the 4th century BC during the Hellenistic period and was known in ancient Greece as the Smyrna Agora. This place was destroyed in 178 AD by a devastating earthquake and later restored by order of the Roman emperor "Marcus Aurelius".

Today, the open-air Agora Museum near Konak Square and the Kemralti Bazaar is a great place for those interested in antiquities and discovering lost pieces of history. Although most of these artifacts have been destroyed or only remnants of them, the findings that have been made since 1933 still amaze many people. Also, measures such as the reconstruction of some buildings such as: the Corinthian Columns, the Faustina Gate, the Vaulted Rooms, and the Cisterns, to a large extent, the glory and grandeur of previous periods have shown this place.

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Familiarity with the Agora monument

The Agora was originally public and market space in the center of the city of Smyrna in ancient Greece, where people and merchants gathered together and engaged in various: commercial, religious, cultural, religious, etc; Smyrna Bazaar, now an open-air museum and historical park, takes about 2 hours to visit, and the first thing you will notice is the "Faustina Gate". Built after the financial generosity of "Empress Faustina", the large "Corinthian Columns", which showcase the magnificence of ancient Greek architecture, are the second building in front of you.

After that, the old "Basilica Church" of the Byzantine period, houses and reservoirs left by the inhabitants who previously lived in the area, are just a few other archeological sites in the area. Other recent artifacts include a "Muslim Cemetery" from the Ottoman Empire.

How to Access the Agora

The open-air Agora Museum, located east of central Izmir, is about a 15-minute walk from Konak Square, the heart of the city and the Kemralti Bazaar; for this reason, you can easily access it with any public transport system or private/rental car.

Address: Namazgah, Tarik Sari Sokağı No: 29, 35240 Konak

The Best Time to Visit Izmir Agora

Due to the fact that the shade in this place is very low, so it is recommended to visit this place in the early months of spring and autumn, but if you visit this open-air museum in summer, the best time to visit is early in the morning or in the afternoon. The Agora Open Air Museum is open to the public every day from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

More Attractions near Izmir

·       Izmir Cruise Port

·       Kadifekale

·       Kemeralti Historical Bazaar

·       Baths of Varius

·       Izmir Clock Tower (Izmir Saat Kulesi)

·       Church of St. Polycarp

·       Izmir Ethnography Museum (Izmir Etnografya Muzesi)

·       Izmir Archaeology Museum (Izmir Arkeoloji Muzesi)

·       Cable Ride

·       Konak Square (Konak Meydani)

·       Clock Tower of Konak

·       Basilica of St. John

·       Temple of Artemis (Artemision)

·       Ephesus (Efes)

·       Library of Celsus

·       Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus

·       Ephesus Terrace Houses

Accommodation near Agora Izmir

Due to the fact Izmir is one of the most important tourist destinations in Turkey due to its many natural and historical attractions, as well as the warm and pleasant Mediterranean climate with beautiful beaches, so many travelers and tourists visit it every year; this has made it possible to easily list the types of luxury to cheaper accommodation centers in different areas, some of which are:

1.      Renaissance Izmir Hotel (5*)

2.      Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir (5*)

3.      Park Inn by Radisson Izmir (5*)

4.      Mövenpick Hotel Izmir (5*)

5.      Oglakcioglu Park Boutique Hotel (4*)

6.      Hotel Apart Alsancak (4*)

7.      Smart Hotel Izmir (4*)

8.      Ege Palas (4*)

9.      Ibis Izmir Alsancak (3*)

Piano Hotel (3*)