Bandirma Attractions
Southern Sea of Marmara
This large port lies on a bay of the same name on the southern Sea of Marmara, facing the southeast side of the KapiDag peninsula. It has an airport and is the terminus of the Izmir to Balikesir railroad. A busy commercial and industrial center, it has a regular ferry service to Istanbul (the first modern harbor was built in 1924). In 1943 a 2,500ha/6,180 acre farm was set up on the southern outskirts of town to rear merino sheep. Because of Bandirma's industries, its bay is not particularly attractive to holidaymakers. But there are still a number of sandy beaches e.g. at Karsiyakaköyü, and also near the Kyzikos ruins.
History
Little is known of the early history of the town or its origins. It was Mysian to begin with, and later - probably in the guise of a small fishing village - part of the kingdom of Kyzikos. In 1076, at the time of Sultan Süleiman Kutulmus, it came under the hegemony of the Seljuks of Rum. After their empire collapsed, it was part of the Karasi beylik. Under Ottoman rule (until 1922) the population was predominantly Greek and Armenian. A substantial section of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1874.
This large port lies on a bay of the same name on the southern Sea of Marmara, facing the southeast side of the KapiDag peninsula. It has an airport and is the terminus of the Izmir to Balikesir railroad. A busy commercial and industrial center, it has a regular ferry service to Istanbul (the first modern harbor was built in 1924). In 1943 a 2,500ha/6,180 acre farm was set up on the southern outskirts of town to rear merino sheep. Because of Bandirma's industries, its bay is not particularly attractive to holidaymakers. But there are still a number of sandy beaches e.g. at Karsiyakaköyü, and also near the Kyzikos ruins.
History
Little is known of the early history of the town or its origins. It was Mysian to begin with, and later - probably in the guise of a small fishing village - part of the kingdom of Kyzikos. In 1076, at the time of Sultan Süleiman Kutulmus, it came under the hegemony of the Seljuks of Rum. After their empire collapsed, it was part of the Karasi beylik. Under Ottoman rule (until 1922) the population was predominantly Greek and Armenian. A substantial section of the town was destroyed in a fire in 1874.
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Erdek, Turkey
(Near Bandirma)
Erdek is a popular resort city on the Sea of Marmara. Tourist will find all the accoutrements of a holiday destination.
Denizkent
About 26km/16mi northwest of Gönen the Çanakkale road touches the Sea of Marmara coast at Denizkent. Here miles of sandy beaches and numerous holiday villages cater for mainly Turkish holidaymakers.
A short distance before Denizkent, on the left, is the Tahir Ovasi model farm, founded jointly by the Turkish agricultural ministry and the Germano-Turkish Association. As well as breeding horses, sheep and plants it provides agricultural training.
A short distance before Denizkent, on the left, is the Tahir Ovasi model farm, founded jointly by the Turkish agricultural ministry and the Germano-Turkish Association. As well as breeding horses, sheep and plants it provides agricultural training.
Kapidag (Yarimadasi)
The Kapidag peninsula northwest of Bandirma is linked to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. Mainly composed of granite (rock arch at ancient Dindymos), it is partly wooded, with mountains up to 782m/2,566ft in height. When still an island in antiquity it was known as Arctonnesos, inhabited, according to legend, by Zeus's wetnurses transformed into bears.
Kus (Manyas) Gölü
Lake Manyas (166sq.km/64sq.mi; maximum depth: 8m/26ft) nestles among hills about 20km/12.5mi south of Bandirma. The east side of the freshwater lake is now the Kuscenneti bird sanctuary, while in the south there are some tamarisk swamps with waterlilies and reed beds. The lake is fed mainly by the Kadiköyü Deresi and teems with plankton, fish and birdlife. Known to the ancients as Lake Miletopolis it drains across the Kara Dere into the Koca Çayi.
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