Izmir, historically known as Smyrna, is one of Turkey’s oldest and most important port cities, with a history spanning over 8,500 years. Located along the Aegean coast, Izmir has served as a strategic trade and cultural hub since antiquity. Its earliest settlements date back to the prehistoric period, and by the first millennium BCE, Smyrna had emerged as a thriving city-state of the Ionian League. The city’s advantageous location along natural harbors made it a prominent center for maritime commerce.

Throughout its history, Izmir has been shaped by numerous civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, and Macedonians. In the 4th century BCE, Alexander the Great ordered the refounding of Smyrna on the slopes of Mount Pagos, transforming it into a well-planned Hellenistic city. Under Roman and Byzantine rule, Smyrna flourished as a key urban center, famous for its grand agora, temples, theaters, and bustling markets.

During the 11th century, the Seljuks gained control of the city, but it later came under Byzantine rule again before falling to the Ottomans in the early 15th century. As part of the Ottoman Empire, Izmir grew into an international port city, attracting merchants from across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Its diverse population—composed of Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and Levantines—created a unique cosmopolitan culture.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Izmir became one of the most prosperous cities of the empire, known for its vibrant trade, architecture, and social life. However, the city was heavily damaged during the events of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), particularly in the Great Fire of 1922, which reshaped much of its historic core.

Today, Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city and a major commercial and cultural center. It boasts a modern skyline along its scenic bay, lively bazaars, coastal promenades, and nearby ancient sites such as Ephesus and Pergamon. With its blend of Mediterranean lifestyle, rich history, and economic vitality, Izmir continues to be a gateway between Anatolia and the wider world.