Marmara Island

The Marmara Island, which is the first choice for those who want to spend a peaceful holi^y, with its unmatched nature, clean air, crystal clear sea and natural beaches, is different from the other islands with its olive groves, vineyards, Turkish pines at high altitudes and maquis on the south.

The island which produces marble, the raw material of grand houses for centuries, is one of the two islands in the world that is free of humidity, thanks to the moisture absorbing quality of marble. The Marmara Islands are situated in the southwest of the Marmora Sea; the Marmara Island is located between Kapidag Peninsula and $arkoy on shallow waters. The island is Marmora's largest, Turkey's second largest island and takes its name from marble. The island's land mass is 110 square kilometers. The east-west overhang of the island, which is leaf shaped, is 18 kilometers and its widest part in the north-south overhang is 10 kilometers. Some of its land is filled with pine trees and the outskirts that look to the south are covered with olive groves.

Antandros Antique City

Antandros Antique City, which is the largest necropolis on the Aegean shore, could be the next Ephesus, according to archeologists.

The city was built by the Pelasgians in the borough ofEdremit, 4 kilometers east of Altmoluk on the outskirts of Mount Ida. The city, which had a strategic importance in terms of military in the Adramyttion (Burhaniye-Oren) - Assos (Behramkale) road, is thought to be established in 10th century B.C., and it is believed that Antandros became a settlement area in 2000 B.C. by looking at the history of Assos which also dates back to the same era.

In light of the systematic digs administered around the base mosaic from the Roman era, a fancy house with frescoes on the wall and mosaic furnishings on the floor from 1st century B.C. was unearthed.

Antique writer Strabo states that there was a mountain called Alexandria on the upper part of Antandros, and that the first beauty contest between Hera, Athena and Aphrodite was held here, as Paris as a judge.

The digs at the Antandros antique city, which dubbed as the next Ephesus by archeologists, are being carried out by Docent Dr. Gurcan Polat from the Aegean University's Classic Archeology Department.

A Journey in to The History Of Marmara Island

The first name of the island is Elafonnessos (Deer Island) and comes from "Elafos" which means deer. Later on, it was called *. "Prokonnessos" Saraylar, which is the only town in Marmara Island, is behind a small port, on the northeastern shore of<he island. It was known as "Palatia" in antique ages because of the structure that was called "Justinian Palace", which was the house of the public servant that was in charge of marble production on behalf of the Roman Empire.

Architectural Finds

Henri Kiepert, who did research in Anatolia, stated in his book that the acropolis of Antandros was between Altinoluk - Avalar, on a hill known as Yarmataf 215 kilometers above sea level and that the city expanded towards the east.

The necropolis of the city is situated 2 kilometers to the west of Yarmataf Hill. The necropolis area was unearthed during construction works and rescue digs were undertaken during the years 1989-1996. During the digs administered under the consultancy of Assistant Docent Dr. Gurcan Polat, the Aegean University Archeology Department member and under the presidency of the Balikesir Museum Directorship in 2001, and which still continue in the necropolis, two-three storey sarcophagi were found along with cremation style entombment was observed. The grave gifts that were unearthed from this area are on display in the Balikesir Museum. The first ones to settle in the island during the antique age were the people of Miletus. The settlement which connected with sea colonies continued with Turks from the beginning of the 15th century. Greeks, who made up a majority of the population on the island, lived together with Turks for centuries. When Greeks had to return to their country after the great exchange, people from the Black Sea Region and Crete settled in the area.

The island, which was known as Prokonnessos in the antique age, was a part of the Delos sea colony along with Kyzikos. The island was always an attraction point for the Roman and Byzantium Empires because of its rich marble mines. The marbles that were used in mosques and mansion during the Ottoman rule came from this island. Marble, which composes the natural structure of the island, has always been and still is an important export product.