Located on the peninsula of the same name, Çeşme is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Turkey. The peninsula is washed by the waves of the Aegean Sea. The springs discovered here in the 18-19th centuries, gave the name of the city, as the Turkish word "Cesme" translates into Russian as: "source", "fountain".
Its main attraction is the Genoese fortress, majestically rising above the city. The purpose of its construction was to protect the nearby coast from pirate attacks. It was erected in the 14th century, and restored in the 16th century, when the country was ruled by Sultan Bayezid II. But it did not stay intact for long. A century later, during the war with the Venetian Republic, as a result of an assault, it was completely destroyed.
And in the 18th century the fortress was rebuilt. Its purely military purpose led it to host a military garrison for a long period of time, until 1833. It also served as a residence for the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. And already in the 20th century, the authorities decided to open the Archaeological Museum in the North Tower.
The fortress in Cesme is also famous for the fact that in its time it served as a place of refuge for the companions of the famous pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa, who, despite his "criminal" past, later rose to the rank of admiral of the Turkish Navy.
The fortress is also famous for the fact that it served as a place of refuge for the companions of the famous pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa.
The fortress is particularly picturesque due to the six majestic towers with the surrounding fortress moat.
Every year, in July, the fortress is transformed into an open theatre, which opens its doors to the participants of the International Music Festival.
