•FOÇA•
phokaia
Archeology
Excavations in the city have revealed that the early settlement dates back to the Bronze Age. Foça, named after the seals surrounding the city, is a district located about 70 km northwest of Izmir. The ancient city of Phokaia, one of the most important settlements of Ionia in the early period, and the present town of Foça are exactly at the same location. Phokaians are also known as one of the first people in Ionia to mint “electron coin” using a natural gold-silver mixture. Phokaia, a sailor city, was famous for its colonies. Phocaean sailors are known to have founded the city of Marseille in France today.
History – Culture
Ağalar Mansion, Mother Goddess (Cybele) Votive Niches, Athena Temple, Walls and Beşkapılar Castle, Fatih Mosque, Outer Castle, Aqueducts, Windmills and Mother Goddess Sanctuary, Ottoman Cemetery, Persian Tomb Monument, Arkais Wall and City Gate, Theater, Kybele Open Air Temple, Mosaics and Devil’s Hammam are must-see cultural and historical landmarks.
Nature
Six uninhabited islands, namely Orak, İncir, Fener, Atatürk, Kartdere and Metelik islands, lie before Foça, and each of them is worth seeing. Foça has 12 blue flag beaches and stands as one of the exceptional coastal cities where you can enjoy a swim right from its center. It also holds the distinction of being one of the fifteen Special Environmental Protection Areas and serves as a habitat for the Mediterranean Monk Seals, from which it derives its name.
Gastronomy
Foça is renowned for its exceptional specialties crafted from seafood, olives, olive oil, artichokes, and wild herbs. Fish soup, stuffed fish, fish trotters, grilled sardines, stuffed calamari, artichoke with lamb, fish with yogurt, and stuffed artichoke with olive oil stand out as some of the prominent tastes in Foça. In addition, delicious salads, appetizers and pastry fillings are prepared from wild fennel, mallow, nettle, sweet dandelion, fennel, teasle, and radish leaves which grow in and around Foça.
