Foca Attractions
Some 2km/1.25mi north of Larissa a side road branches off the main road on the left to the pleasant little port town of Foça (founded 1576) situated on the site of ancient Phokaia (Phocaea) at the northern entrance to the Gulf of Izmir.
Phokaia, the most northerly of the Ionian cities, was founded in the eighth century, probably from Teos. Situated on a promontory projecting into the gulf, the city had two harbors. The Phocaeans were daring seamen who by the seventh century B.C. were familiar with the coasts of the western Mediterranean, founding Massalia (Marseilles) about 600 B.C. and Alalia (Aleria), on the east of Corsica, about 565 B.C. Many wealthy citizens of Phokaia moved to these new areas when their city fell to the Persians about 540 B.C. The only surviving ancient structures are the foundations of walls. There is also a ruined 15th century Genoese castle.
Phokaia, the most northerly of the Ionian cities, was founded in the eighth century, probably from Teos. Situated on a promontory projecting into the gulf, the city had two harbors. The Phocaeans were daring seamen who by the seventh century B.C. were familiar with the coasts of the western Mediterranean, founding Massalia (Marseilles) about 600 B.C. and Alalia (Aleria), on the east of Corsica, about 565 B.C. Many wealthy citizens of Phokaia moved to these new areas when their city fell to the Persians about 540 B.C. The only surviving ancient structures are the foundations of walls. There is also a ruined 15th century Genoese castle.
