Manisa

Overview

Manisa is a modern city with a history that goes back to 500 BC. Sights include Ottoman and Seljuk architecture, the 16-th century Sultan Mosque, the Muradiye Mosque (same period) built by the great architect Sinan, and the Murad Bey Medresse which houses the Archaeological Museum of Manisa.

For hiking head for the Spil Mountain National Park. You can go mountaineering or camping in this area as well as seeing the famous "crying rock" of Niobe, and the carving of Goddess Kybele.

Nearby Sardis is the ancient capital of Lydia, once ruled by King Croesus. Most of the remains you find here stem from Roman times, however.

History