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Marmaris - History |
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Surrounded by pine-clad hills, Marmaris is located on the site of ancient Phykos of which nothing at all remains since the modern town sits atop the ruins. There are however numerous examples of Ottoman architecture from the reign of Süleyman the Magnificent since Marmaris was taken by him as part of his campaign against the island of Rhodes nearby. Among the buildings that may be seen are the castle built in 1521; a caravanserai built in 1545; Tashan, also built in the 16th century; and the Mosque of Ibrahim Agha, dated 1789. It is not known when Marmaris was founded, but Phykos as Marinaris was previously known, was part of the Carian Empire in the 6th century BC when overrun by the Lydians. Another invasion by the Lydians in 334 BC Led to the partition of the Roman Empire of Alexander The Great.According to the historian Heredotus, the Carians settled in what is now the province of Mugla after coming from Crete. They also took over the town of Phykos with its large natural harbour, and used it as a military base for their campaigns against the Phoenicians in Rhodes and other Aegean islands.The Carian civilization entered a dark period after 300 BC, Coming under the rule of the Egyptians, Asstrians, lonians and Dorians successively. The Dorians turned the Carian province into 9 colony cities, also including Halicarnassos and Knidos, which became an active trading centre for Anatolia and led to an increase in handcrafts and maritime trade. In 138 BC Attalos the 3rd. King of Bergama, whose predecessors had ruled Caria for 90 years, ceded Phykos to Rome and the city was ruled from Rhodes by Roman generals. The city became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1425, and the castle was built in 1521 A.D. For use in a planned assault on Rhodes. The Ottoman Sultan at the time, Kanuni Sultan Suleyman. Change the name of the town to Mimaras, which then became Marmaris according to the historian Eviiya Celebi.A local rumour has it that the reason for the change of name to Mimaras was that Suleyman, on returning from his expedition to Rhodes, disliked the castle and said 'mimaras!', which means hang the architect!. Unfortunately there is no evidence to support this amusing story. |
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