THE AGORA OF ÍZMÍR AND CULTURAL TOURISM 
Eti AKYÜZ LEVI 
1395 Sokak 34/3 Alsancak - Izmir TURKEY 
eilevi@superonline .com 
Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture 
KEYWORDS: Architecture, Project, Identification, Archaeology, Revitalization, Proposal, Cultural Tourism, Renovation 
ABSTRACT: 
The historical assets of Izmir reflecting the ancient identity of the city with a prosperous past of over 5000 years are on the verge of 
extinction; thus, raising our awareness as to the preservation of those still in existence has become imperative, dictating 
comprehensive conservation studies covering its many aspects. This paper discusses the Agora and its surroundings in the light of the 
complex site quality it displays, as one of the archeological focal points in active urban life. 
The excavations undertaken intermittently in the past in this area bearing the marks of the Hellenistic-Roman period have assumed 
continuity in recent years, hence making available valuable pieces of information regarding the history of the city as well as the 
structure itself. Also included in this study are suggestions to re-design the area and its surroundings in terms of cultural tourism. 
The study calls for the conservation of the Agora area as a historical focus of interest in daily excursions. Consequently, the 
following are to be considered: 
Re-designing the area around the Hatuniye Square as regards restaurants, accomodation facilities, souvenir shops. 
Improving the appearance of the side streets leading to the Agora area, 
Undertaking the restoration of the religious buildings in accordance with the re-designing of the surroundings, and 
connecting the pedestrian route to the Agora. 
This study offers a solution which considers three main focal points, namely the Hatuniye Square, the streets in the area connecting 
Kadifekale, the Antique Theatre and the Agora, and the religious buildings of Kemeralti, so as to provide for the continuity of a 
cross-section of the urban identity; and discusses the rehabilitation and maintenance projects for each focal point, along with their 
position in the whole picture. 
INTRODUCTION 
The historical inheritance of our city that has stood the test of 
time being so little as it is, the need for exceptional studies in 
terms of protecting and maintaining what we have today has 
become inevitable. Being one of the urban sites of Izmir, and 
located in Kemeralti, at the historical core of town, the Agora 
possesses an archeological quality of a past dating back as early 
as the Hellenistic period, along with a proximity to other 
historical sights, and is therefore one of the most important 
elements of urban identity; the area is one that enjoys the 
coinciding of many identities, owing to the potential of its 
surroundings. It is for these characteristics that the Agora has 
been discussed in this paper. 
The aim is to realize a program designed to revive and preserve 
the rich historical past of the city. The study involves generating 
ideas and developing suggestions regarding the conservation of 
the whole area. In this respect, rather than the conservation of 
an individual structure, a focused conservation as part of a 
collective project is what the studies are aimed for. As far as 
cultural tourism is concerned, the former identity of the city will 
be restored by conserving the chosen areas of focus. With 
tourism serving as the medium, not only the structures will be 
preserved in their original states, but there will also be revenues 
which will enable regular maintenance and repairs. 
The Agora being one outstanding ancient focus in town, it is 
intended that the touristic potential be enhanced through those 
assets surrounding it. Also being studied in this paper are two 
other places of interest somewhat connected, Hatuniye Square 
and the Synagogues District, along with the streets leading to 
the area. An attempt has been made as to determine, regarding 
the routes for culture tours, the importance of this project 
concentrating on the Agora, while also covering the other sub 
districts nearby. 
1. THE AGORA OF IZMIR 
The structure bearing the characteristics of a State Agora 
(Texier, 1862). belonging to the Hellenistic-Roman period and 
located in the quarter known as Namazgah, was revealed in the 
course of some archeological studies in the Turkish cemetery. 
The excavations which started in 1927 were then continued with 
in the 1932 - 1941 period and later in 1944. After rather a long 
interval, there followed the removal of soil in the galleries in 
1977, the cleaning by the Parks and Gardens Directorate of the 
Izmir Municipality in 1984, and excavations in the northwest 
corner by the Regional Restoration Office of Izmir together 
with the Izmir Archeology Museum in 1997 - 1998. Since 2002, 
Izmir Archeology Museum and the Municipality of Izmir have 
been undertaking in co-operation further excavations in the 
north and east structures of the area. 
Photograph 1 - A general view of the Agora