ABOUT AYVALIK & ALIBEY  ISLAND

 AYVALIK

As a district of Balıkesir, Cunda Island -which has clear sea, unique historical beauties- is famous for its stone houses, excellent seafood, Cretean appetizers, olive trees, magnificient bays and islands. It is such a romantic and nostalgic island with historical stone houses, churches and natural beauties. When you are wandering in the streets, you may feel as if you live in ancient times. Most of the houses were constructed in neo-classic form by the Greeks. Native people sit on porches and have an engaging chat with their neighbors every now and then as in the past. Carriages still pose a lifestyle.

Bazaars are set up on Thursdays at Ayvalık, on Saturdays on Cunda, on Sundays at Armutçuk. Especially in the summer time, Greek neighbors coming from Lesbos Island do shopping in Ayvalık bazaars joyfully.

Our citizens coming from Crete post the war in 1922 brought their traditions, cuisines and lifestyles along with them and therefore, you can find the tastes of delicious Cretean cuisines.

We suggest you taste the delicious Cretean herbs cooked by Ms. Emine at LAL-GİRİT CUISINE. Good appetite!.. Also, you can find a wide range of fish, Aegean appetizers and other seafood at restaurants that lie like a pearl necklace along the coastline of Cunda.

We recommend you to give yourself a feast with abundant seafood and appetizers at Cunda-Deniz Restaurant that is if you find free seat. We think that Mr. Ayhan and Mr. Süleyman, owners of the rastaurant, will not let you down.

Of course, you can always view the historical buildings on Cunda streets, walk up the lovers` hill and visit the newly restorated small church and the main city library. Eventually, you can take a break at hill garden, having an excellent Cunda view while sipping on your drink.

Here, every house has a unique and mysterious story. Having constructed by dark pink onion stone which used to be exploited here, Stone Houses still protects its beauty and aesthetics like the date it was built due to the characteristics of the stone and aesthetics of the workman.

 It is worth of seeing the newly built mansions and villas with their magnificence sight.

Located in the vicinity of Cunda and called ‘NESOS, KHİDONİA, CHALKİS, PORDESELENE’ at the ancient sorces, Nesos comes out at the place where Alibey Island faces to Lale Island and the remnants in the vicinityof Korifantis- Gümüşlük.

When we consider Ayvalık Center, cultural remnants belonging to Helenistic, Bizans and Rome era were observed at Khidonia, admission of Alibey Island.

Having mentioned at Ottomon sources beginning from the sea wars of 1770s, Ayvalık standed out as an important metropolis and Non-Muslems` autonomous city dating from 1789. This autonomy lasts until the Greek inhabitants participation to the Greek riot of 1821. Afterwards, the vast majority of the district were vacated and it became a district of the Ottomon Empire by being tied to Karesi flag. Although, Greek people were permitted to turn back post the riot, the city could not regain its vigour.

Being occupied by Greek forces under English support on May 29th 1919, Ayvalık, at which the first ballot of the liberation was shot by Lieutenant Colonel Ali Çetinkaya, was redeemed by the enemies.

Our pretty district lived its heyday in early 20th century. It is pleasure to see the rare examples of the neo-classic architecture from that time to nowadays. Churchs rising under this atmosphere strike the eyes.

The settlement configuration of the city is an amphitheatre form and next-door houses over the narrow streets have a praiseworhy beauty.

Having over 100 km coast distance, the district`s surface area is 285 square km and its population is approximately 40.000.

It has a peculiar climate dominating light breezes. Cool Aegen summer sea-breeze makes dwelling inevitable.

Its economy adheres to agriculture and the agriculture derivative industry. Main agriculural products are olive, olive oil and cotton.Also, pine nut, tangerine and vegetables are cultivated. Olive oil, soap and olive factories are the main industries. Toursim, which developed quietly in recent years, represents another important income source in the district. Cunda island, Sarmısaklı beach and Şeytan Sofrası are the famous natural beauties of the region.

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