Balikesir
Encyclopedia
Balıkesir is the capital city of Balıkesir Province
. Balıkesir is in the Marmara
region of Turkey
and has a population of 265,747 inhabitants. Old name is Karesi or Karasi.
town of Hadrianutherae, founded, as its name commemorates, by the emperor Hadrian
. During the Byzantine
period, the small town was known as Palaeokastron . The remains of the ancient Makestos Bridge
and castles are found in the surrounding region. Members of the Byzantine dynasty had used this castle as a vacation area and for hunting. Also, when the Turkmen
s came from Middle Asia to Mysia, they called it Balak Hisar because of the remains of castle, as Hisar is the Turkish word for castle.
Balıkesir's former name was Karasi, because Balıkesir city was founded by Karasi Beg in the 13th century. The Karasids was a Turkic principality in Mysia
. Until the 13th century, Balıkesir city had been the administral centre of the Mysia region. In 1345, Balıkesir city was annexed by the Ottoman
s. In 1897 an earthquake destroyed much of the city. In 1920 Balıkesir city was conquered by the invading Greeks
but on 6 September in 1922, the Turkish army took back the city. During the Turkish War of Independence
, Balıkesir was a main centre of the militias in Western Anatolia against Greeks. In the 1950s, a major fire, started by several naughty mice, again destroyed a part of the city which was later rebuilt.
with long, hot and dry summers with cool and rainy winters. In the height of summer temperatures usually exceed to +40°C (104°F). Winters are cool but sometimes turn cold and snowfalls can occur.
and grapes. Balıkesir with its districts is the 12th largest economy in Turkish economy. Also, it called Anatolian Tiger.
Other main exports are olive
-based products. It is also a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, who use it as a base to explore the nearly countryside which is renowned for its beauty, especially nearby Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı). İt is well known with borax
deposit.
The rectorship of Balıkesir University
and the university campus help to make Balikesir a student city. The 25.000 university students comprise 10% of the total city population, adding much to city life.
. Balıkesir has an aggregate settlement network. Until 1950s, the city has grown by depending on the core being first settlements that it resembles break-up of the oil stains. The city has been carrying more Aegean
character than Marmara. Anafartalar Street, Milli Kuvvetler Street, Vasıf Çınar Street, Kızılay Street, Atalar Street are important streets in the city. Aygören, Karaoğlan, Dumlupınar, Kasaplar, Hisariçi, Karesi, Kızpınar, Hacıilbey are the first settlements of the city. The eldest settlements are acclivity, lane and also have adjoint buildings. Many historical places are in these quarters. A summary of new settlements are Bahcelievler, Atatürk, Paşaalanı and Adnan Menderes quarters. The squares of the city: Ali Hikmet Pasha (AHP), Republica, Wrestler Kurtdereli Mehmed and Karesi.
Trade and economic life is concentrated on three streets. These are Milli Kuvvetler Street, Kızılay Street and Anafartalar Street. Commercial life focuses on these streets and the small streets which are intersecting these streets and avenues. As a part of the city skyline, New Bazaar Area is the eldest shopping place for the city. Vasıf Çınar Street and Gazi Boulevard are other busy areas. The face of the government, there is Balıkesir Park, the rest area, is one of Turkey's most beautiful parks. By the establishment of Balıkesir University in the city, social life are gradually developing. In 2007, with the modern shopping center, commercial life in Balıkesir has started to gain momentum.
Salih Tozan Cultural Center is the important for cultural activities in the city. Public transport area where is the point of transport networks is near the Salih Tozan. Yaylada and Gala are the important place for the citylife.
Turkey's first jet base, 9th Main Air base is located in Balıkesir.
Mosque Complex and Yildirim Mosque are popular spiritual areas. Many old Balıkesir houses in the Aygoren and Karaoglan district remain from the Ottoman period.
Balıkesir National Photography Museum is the only photography museum in Turkey. The Museum of National Moment, exhibits historical memories of the city. Of course, Balıkesir is especially known for its historic windmills.
Many spas with health promoting features surround the city, including Pamukcu and Ilica. The center of the city also contains the historical Turkish "Pasha Hamami" bath, which is still in use.
The major holidays of Balıkesir are Hıdrellez. And the Liberation Day and also the Remembrance Day of Local Combat are memorial days of Balıkesir city.
Hıdrellez is by tradition celebrated in the first week of May for those who live in Balikesir. Today, it is the fulfillment of a religious ritual that is celebrated as a day of goodness. The night on the streets there is a fire, and one of the traditions is to jump over the fire seven times. That night going to such green and restful areas as Değirmenboğazı and Balıkesir Parkı or near the religious area like tombs is also a ritual of Hıdrellez. People wish the midnight and meet there. Accordingly Hıdrellez day people have offerings. Drawing a picture of something that is desired to land or stone is determined. Individuals seeking goods put money into a red purse and hang it on a tree. On the other hand those wishing for a baby type the name or draws baby figure on the ground. These rituals are traditions of Hıdrellez. One of the superstitions is that if someone takes a shower that night, he or she is protected from all diseases. Hıdrellez is a kind of Newroz or Spring New Years.
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The Liberation Day from enemy occupation of Balikesir is 6 September in 1922. Every year, 6 September is celebrating day as a local holiday. There is a celebration parade and a celebratory ceremony. The ceremony takes place on Stadium Street. In the past, the previous night of 6 September, the main streets of Balıkesir were washed with cologne with lilies, because lilies are a symbol of Balikesir. This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. For two or three days, the people would come from the nearby villages and districts to celebrating. On 6 September morning, people in Balıkesir would picnic in advance of the festival, at Balıkesir Park. The festival evening, a great torchlight procession is organized. Tülü Tabaklar which had designed similary the cannibals in order to frighten the enemies is special event of festival.
The Remembrance Day of Local Combat is called Kuvayi Milliye Haftası in Turkish which is organized between 16th-23 May. The great success with 41 Balıkesirer people met at Alaca Mescit and they have managed the region such as a state and they successed military victory in 1922. 15 May 1919, after the capture of Izmir by the Greeks, Balıkesir is the first place in Turkey that the reaction of Balıkesir had shown by declared Redd-i Ilhak (Disclamation of Annexation). In 1919, the city of Balikesir Congress was met five times. Greek
soldiers on June of 30th, 1920 was occupied Balıkesir. By had opened Ayvalik-İvrindi-Soma-Balikesir-front, Balıkesir had its liberation.
is aromatic lily . Hosmerim which is made from cheese and egg is the popular dessert of this city. Lots of old Turkmens dishes (like keskek, guvec, tirit, manti, kaymakli) are composed Balıkesir cuisine.
Balıkesir is a historical folkloric dance source. Balıkesir's historical folkloric dance is most popular in Turkey and academical searching. Bengi, Guvende and Balikesir Zeybeği are typical dance of this city. These dances' figures spread throughout Balıkesir plainness. Also, Balikesir's ballad
s are popular in Turkey. Akpınar, Mendili Oyaladım, Karyolamın Demiri are some ballads sing by women surround Balikesir city. Like these woman ballads on the other hand, have dance figures in terms of traditional dancing. Although Balıkesir is in industrial region, traditional village culture is superb and deeply. So that, for folk culture Balıkesir is important area in Turkey. Balıkesir's local dance came to first in Nice
folk festival joined 21 countries at 1958 be of value by European academical folklore authorities. Also Balıkesir's local zeibek dance was the first zeibek participation from Turkey which had seen European folk authorities. Nowadays, Balıkesir folklore is chosen "unconcrete cultural heritage" of Turkey by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
|-
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{| align=right border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3
| City
| Distance
|-
| Ankara
| 530 km
|-
| İstanbul
| 390 km
|-
| Bursa
| 151 km
|-
| İzmir
| 173 km
|-
| Antalya
| 510 km
|-
| Adana
| 894 km
|-
| Çanakkale
| 207 km
|-
| Manisa
| 137 km
|-
| Kütahya
| 221 km
|-
| Trabzon
| 1232 km
|-
|}
Balıkesir is a city that has shores on the Aegean
and Marmara
Seas. It is easy to reach from Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa and İzmir by motorway or railway. There are regular coaches from İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Balıkesir have got lots of small coastal towns. To make transportation comfortable, railway transport is done between Ankara-Balıkesir and İzmir-Balikesir at specific hours.
Balıkesir is joined to Bursa and İzmir by a quality motorway. Also there is Körfez Airport. On account of the Körfez Airport has began to the service. Balıkesir Coach Terminal is out of the city so that there are servicing by municipality to the city centre. On the other hand, the Railway Station is at Republica Square.
In Balikesir city, there are ten hotels with one five-star hotel. Some hotels are close to the city centre so that everywhere is attainable easily.
Balikesir Province
Balıkesir Province is a province in midwestern Turkey, having coastlines on both the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Its adjacent provinces are Çanakkale to the west, İzmir to the southwest, Manisa to the south, Kütahya to the southeast, and Bursa to the east. The provincial capital is Balıkesir City...
. Balıkesir is in the Marmara
Marmara Region
The Marmara Region , with a surface area of 67.000 km², is the smallest but most densely populated of the seven geographical regions of Turkey...
region of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and has a population of 265,747 inhabitants. Old name is Karesi or Karasi.
History
Close to modern Balıkesir was the RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
town of Hadrianutherae, founded, as its name commemorates, by the emperor Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
. During the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
period, the small town was known as Palaeokastron . The remains of the ancient Makestos Bridge
Makestos Bridge
The Macestos Bridge or Bridge of Sultançayır was a Roman segmental arched bridge across the Macestos River at Balıkesir, in the northwestern part of modern-day Turkey. Its flattened arches, slender piers and the hollow chamber system documented the progress made in late antique bridge building...
and castles are found in the surrounding region. Members of the Byzantine dynasty had used this castle as a vacation area and for hunting. Also, when the Turkmen
Turkmen people
The Turkmen are a Turkic people located primarily in the Central Asian states of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and northeastern Iran. They speak the Turkmen language, which is classified as a part of the Western Oghuz branch of the Turkic languages family together with Turkish, Azerbaijani, Qashqai,...
s came from Middle Asia to Mysia, they called it Balak Hisar because of the remains of castle, as Hisar is the Turkish word for castle.
Balıkesir's former name was Karasi, because Balıkesir city was founded by Karasi Beg in the 13th century. The Karasids was a Turkic principality in Mysia
Mysia
Mysia was a region in the northwest of ancient Asia Minor or Anatolia . It was located on the south coast of the Sea of Marmara. It was bounded by Bithynia on the east, Phrygia on the southeast, Lydia on the south, Aeolis on the southwest, Troad on the west and by the Propontis on the north...
. Until the 13th century, Balıkesir city had been the administral centre of the Mysia region. In 1345, Balıkesir city was annexed by the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
s. In 1897 an earthquake destroyed much of the city. In 1920 Balıkesir city was conquered by the invading Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
but on 6 September in 1922, the Turkish army took back the city. During the Turkish War of Independence
Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence was a war of independence waged by Turkish nationalists against the Allies, after the country was partitioned by the Allies following the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I...
, Balıkesir was a main centre of the militias in Western Anatolia against Greeks. In the 1950s, a major fire, started by several naughty mice, again destroyed a part of the city which was later rebuilt.
Climate
Balıkesir has a Mediterranean ClimateMediterranean climate
A Mediterranean climate is the climate typical of most of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin, and is a particular variety of subtropical climate...
with long, hot and dry summers with cool and rainy winters. In the height of summer temperatures usually exceed to +40°C (104°F). Winters are cool but sometimes turn cold and snowfalls can occur.
Economy
The economic base of the city is both agricultural and industrial. The biggest industrial enterprises are Ari-Turyag, Set Cimento, BEST, Mar-Tük, İsbir, Kula, Tellioglu, Bupilic and Yaris Kabin which are among the first thousand factories in Turkey as of 2008. Balıkesir city is also important for the stock breeding. Surrounding the city, are numerous dairies. The city is also an agricultural centre. Wheat, sunflowers, sugar beets, and other vegetables in front tomato and bean plantations have dence products. Traditional crops are melonMelon
thumb|200px|Various types of melonsThis list of melons includes members of the plant family Cucurbitaceae with edible, fleshy fruit e.g. gourds or cucurbits. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit...
and grapes. Balıkesir with its districts is the 12th largest economy in Turkish economy. Also, it called Anatolian Tiger.
Other main exports are olive
Olive
The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the...
-based products. It is also a popular destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, who use it as a base to explore the nearly countryside which is renowned for its beauty, especially nearby Mount Ida (Kaz Dağı). İt is well known with borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
deposit.
The rectorship of Balıkesir University
Balıkesir University
-History:The roots of Balikesir University date back to Karesi Teacher Training School, which was established in 1910. Balikesir State Engineering Academy, Balikesir Management and Tourism Vocational School and Balikesir Vocational School started educational facilities in 1975-1976 and this marked...
and the university campus help to make Balikesir a student city. The 25.000 university students comprise 10% of the total city population, adding much to city life.
Cityscape
The central of Balıkesir province with 300,000 population is the fourth crowded city in the Marmara RegionMarmara Region
The Marmara Region , with a surface area of 67.000 km², is the smallest but most densely populated of the seven geographical regions of Turkey...
. Balıkesir has an aggregate settlement network. Until 1950s, the city has grown by depending on the core being first settlements that it resembles break-up of the oil stains. The city has been carrying more Aegean
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
character than Marmara. Anafartalar Street, Milli Kuvvetler Street, Vasıf Çınar Street, Kızılay Street, Atalar Street are important streets in the city. Aygören, Karaoğlan, Dumlupınar, Kasaplar, Hisariçi, Karesi, Kızpınar, Hacıilbey are the first settlements of the city. The eldest settlements are acclivity, lane and also have adjoint buildings. Many historical places are in these quarters. A summary of new settlements are Bahcelievler, Atatürk, Paşaalanı and Adnan Menderes quarters. The squares of the city: Ali Hikmet Pasha (AHP), Republica, Wrestler Kurtdereli Mehmed and Karesi.
Trade and economic life is concentrated on three streets. These are Milli Kuvvetler Street, Kızılay Street and Anafartalar Street. Commercial life focuses on these streets and the small streets which are intersecting these streets and avenues. As a part of the city skyline, New Bazaar Area is the eldest shopping place for the city. Vasıf Çınar Street and Gazi Boulevard are other busy areas. The face of the government, there is Balıkesir Park, the rest area, is one of Turkey's most beautiful parks. By the establishment of Balıkesir University in the city, social life are gradually developing. In 2007, with the modern shopping center, commercial life in Balıkesir has started to gain momentum.
Salih Tozan Cultural Center is the important for cultural activities in the city. Public transport area where is the point of transport networks is near the Salih Tozan. Yaylada and Gala are the important place for the citylife.
Turkey's first jet base, 9th Main Air base is located in Balıkesir.
Main Sights
The capital of Balıkesir province contains many historical buildings. The clocktower (built in 1892) is the symbol of the city. A historical fountain (built in 1908) is another popular building. The Zaganos PashaZaganos Pasha
Zaganos Pasha or Zagan Pasha was a military leader, Kapudan Pasha and Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II.- Life :...
Mosque Complex and Yildirim Mosque are popular spiritual areas. Many old Balıkesir houses in the Aygoren and Karaoglan district remain from the Ottoman period.
Balıkesir National Photography Museum is the only photography museum in Turkey. The Museum of National Moment, exhibits historical memories of the city. Of course, Balıkesir is especially known for its historic windmills.
Many spas with health promoting features surround the city, including Pamukcu and Ilica. The center of the city also contains the historical Turkish "Pasha Hamami" bath, which is still in use.
The major holidays of Balıkesir are Hıdrellez. And the Liberation Day and also the Remembrance Day of Local Combat are memorial days of Balıkesir city.
Hıdrellez is by tradition celebrated in the first week of May for those who live in Balikesir. Today, it is the fulfillment of a religious ritual that is celebrated as a day of goodness. The night on the streets there is a fire, and one of the traditions is to jump over the fire seven times. That night going to such green and restful areas as Değirmenboğazı and Balıkesir Parkı or near the religious area like tombs is also a ritual of Hıdrellez. People wish the midnight and meet there. Accordingly Hıdrellez day people have offerings. Drawing a picture of something that is desired to land or stone is determined. Individuals seeking goods put money into a red purse and hang it on a tree. On the other hand those wishing for a baby type the name or draws baby figure on the ground. These rituals are traditions of Hıdrellez. One of the superstitions is that if someone takes a shower that night, he or she is protected from all diseases. Hıdrellez is a kind of Newroz or Spring New Years.
The Remembrance Day of Local Combat is called Kuvayi Milliye Haftası in Turkish which is organized between 16th-23 May. The great success with 41 Balıkesirer people met at Alaca Mescit and they have managed the region such as a state and they successed military victory in 1922. 15 May 1919, after the capture of Izmir by the Greeks, Balıkesir is the first place in Turkey that the reaction of Balıkesir had shown by declared Redd-i Ilhak (Disclamation of Annexation). In 1919, the city of Balikesir Congress was met five times. Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
soldiers on June of 30th, 1920 was occupied Balıkesir. By had opened Ayvalik-İvrindi-Soma-Balikesir-front, Balıkesir had its liberation.
Local cultural heritages
Balıkesir's local cheese, called Kelle Peyniri, is known in European countries and exported France, Germany and Britain. It is a granular type cheese. Balıkesir's Turkmen carpets (called Yagcibedir) are another popular local good. The main souvenir of city is Eau de CologneEau de Cologne
Eau de Cologne or simply Cologne is a toiletry, a perfume in a style that originated from Cologne, Germany. It is nowadays a generic term for scented formulations in typical concentration of 2-5% essential oils. However as of today cologne is a blend of extracts, alcohol, and water...
is aromatic lily . Hosmerim which is made from cheese and egg is the popular dessert of this city. Lots of old Turkmens dishes (like keskek, guvec, tirit, manti, kaymakli) are composed Balıkesir cuisine.
Balıkesir is a historical folkloric dance source. Balıkesir's historical folkloric dance is most popular in Turkey and academical searching. Bengi, Guvende and Balikesir Zeybeği are typical dance of this city. These dances' figures spread throughout Balıkesir plainness. Also, Balikesir's ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
s are popular in Turkey. Akpınar, Mendili Oyaladım, Karyolamın Demiri are some ballads sing by women surround Balikesir city. Like these woman ballads on the other hand, have dance figures in terms of traditional dancing. Although Balıkesir is in industrial region, traditional village culture is superb and deeply. So that, for folk culture Balıkesir is important area in Turkey. Balıkesir's local dance came to first in Nice
Nice
Nice is the fifth most populous city in France, after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse, with a population of 348,721 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Nice extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of more than 955,000 on an area of...
folk festival joined 21 countries at 1958 be of value by European academical folklore authorities. Also Balıkesir's local zeibek dance was the first zeibek participation from Turkey which had seen European folk authorities. Nowadays, Balıkesir folklore is chosen "unconcrete cultural heritage" of Turkey by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Transportation and Accommodation
{| cellpadding=10 align=right|-
|
{| align=right border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=3
| City
| Distance
|-
| Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
| 530 km
|-
| İstanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
| 390 km
|-
| Bursa
| 151 km
|-
| İzmir
| 173 km
|-
| Antalya
| 510 km
|-
| Adana
| 894 km
|-
| Çanakkale
| 207 km
|-
| Manisa
Manisa
Manisa is a large city in Turkey's Aegean Region and the administrative seat of Manisa Province.Modern Manisa is a booming center of industry and services, advantaged by its closeness to the international port city and the regional metropolitan center of İzmir and by its fertile hinterland rich in...
| 137 km
|-
| Kütahya
Kütahya
Kütahya is a city in western Turkey with 212,444 inhabitants , lying on the Porsuk river, at 969 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Kütahya Province, inhabited by some 517 804 people...
| 221 km
|-
| Trabzon
Trabzon
Trabzon is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey and the capital of Trabzon Province. Trabzon, located on the historical Silk Road, became a melting pot of religions, languages and culture for centuries and a trade gateway to Iran in the southeast and the Caucasus to the northeast...
| 1232 km
|-
|}
Balıkesir is a city that has shores on the Aegean
Aegean Sea
The Aegean Sea[p] is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the southern Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas, i.e., between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus...
and Marmara
Sea of Marmara
The Sea of Marmara , also known as the Sea of Marmora or the Marmara Sea, and in the context of classical antiquity as the Propontis , is the inland sea that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, thus separating Turkey's Asian and European parts. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Black...
Seas. It is easy to reach from Ankara, İstanbul, Bursa and İzmir by motorway or railway. There are regular coaches from İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir. Balıkesir have got lots of small coastal towns. To make transportation comfortable, railway transport is done between Ankara-Balıkesir and İzmir-Balikesir at specific hours.
Balıkesir is joined to Bursa and İzmir by a quality motorway. Also there is Körfez Airport. On account of the Körfez Airport has began to the service. Balıkesir Coach Terminal is out of the city so that there are servicing by municipality to the city centre. On the other hand, the Railway Station is at Republica Square.
In Balikesir city, there are ten hotels with one five-star hotel. Some hotels are close to the city centre so that everywhere is attainable easily.
Sister cities
Balıkesir is twinned with:-
BergamaBergamaBergama is a populous district, as well as the center city of the same district, in İzmir Province in western Turkey. By excluding İzmir's metropolitan area, it is one of the prominent districts of the province in terms of population and is largely urbanized at the rate of 53,6 per cent...
, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(since 1310)
-
KazanKazanKazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,546 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the...
, RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(since 1996)
-
Schwäbisch HallSchwäbisch HallSchwäbisch Hall is a town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg and capital of the district of Schwäbisch Hall. The town is located in the valley of the river Kocher in the north-eastern part of Baden-Württemberg....
, GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
(since 2006)
- SiirtSiirt- External links :* * * *...
, TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(since 2007)
Notable natives
- Fikret HakanFikret HakanFikret Hakan is a prolific Turkish film actor and a recipient of the honorary State Artist, a prestigious title awarded by the Turkish government....
- Actor - Imam BirgiviImam BirgiviImam Birgivi was a Muslim scholar and moralist who lived during the height of the Ottoman Empire and whose texts are used to this day as manuals of spiritual practice throughout the Muslim world.-Biography:...
- Muslim scholar - Zağanos PashaZaganos PashaZaganos Pasha or Zagan Pasha was a military leader, Kapudan Pasha and Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II.- Life :...
- Ottoman military commander - Mehmet ÇobanMehmet ÇobanMehmet Çoban , aka Koç Çoban Mehmet, was a Turkish Olympian wrestler in the heavyweight division of Greco-Roman style.He was born 1905 in Balıkesir, Ottoman Empire...
- Olympian Greco-Roman wrestler - Kurtdereli Mehmet PehlivanKurtdereli Mehmet PehlivanKurtdereli Mehmet Pehlivan was a wrestler. He lived most of his life in the village of Kurtdere, 40 km from Balıkesir....
- World famous oilwrestler - Olcan AdınOlcan AdinOlcan Adın is a footballer. He played for Fenerbahçe, before transferring to Gaziantepspor in the 2008–2009 season for three years.He weighs 66 kilograms....
- GaziantepsporGaziantepsporGaziantepspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Gaziantep. Formed in 1969, Gaziantepspor are nicknamed the Şahinler . The club colours are black and red, and they play their home matches at Kamil Ocak Stadyumu....
soccer player - İlhan EkerIlhan Ekerİlhan Eker is a Turkish football defender. He currently plays for Kayserispor. Standing at 185 cm, he is equally adept at playmaking and scoring.-Career:...
- Fenerbahçe SKFenerbahçe SKFenerbahçe Spor Kulübü is a professional sports club based in Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey. The club derives its name from the Fenerbahçe neighbourhood of Istanbul. Fenerbahçe is one of the biggest and the best supported clubs in Turkey. They are nicknamed Sarı Kanaryalar )...
soccer player - Egemen KorkmazEgemen KorkmazEgemen Korkmaz is a Turkish footballer who plays for Beşiktaş....
- TrabzonsporTrabzonsporTrabzonspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Formed in 1967 through a merger of several local clubs, Trabzonspor won six championships in Turkish Super League. The Club won their first Championship title in 1975 which is also the Club's initiation year...
soccer player - Uğur Tütüneker - former Galatasaray SKGalatasaray S.K. (football team)Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups....
and Bayern MunichFC Bayern MunichFC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
soccer player - Oğuz SavaşOguz SavasOğuz Savaş is a professional basketball player of Fenerbahçe Ülker. He is 2.11 m tall and 130 kg in weight and wears number 21 for Fenerbahçe Ülker...
- Fenerbahçe ÜlkerFenerbahçe ÜlkerFenerbahçe Ülker is the professional men's basketball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major multisport club based in Istanbul, Turkey. The department has been sponsored by the Ülker since 2006. In 2006 Fenerbahçe S.K...
basketball player - Tülin AltıntaşTülin AltintasTülin Altıntaş is a Turkish volleyball player. Tülin is 187 cm and plays as middle player. She plays for DYO Karşıyaka and wear 11 number. She also played for Güneş Sigorta, Vakıfbank, 75.Yıl, Yeşilyurt and Fenerbahçe Acıbadem.- External links :*...
- Fenerbahçe AcıbademFenerbahçe Women's VolleyballFenerbahçe Universal , as known as Yellow Angels, is the women's volleyball department of Fenerbahçe S.K., a major sports club based in Istanbul, Turkey...
volleyball player - Gamze Şener - Dunya Newspaper Reporter
External links
- Balıkesir Municipality Web Page
- Balıkesir's Information and City Guide Site
- Balıkesir Newspaper
- Balıkesir's Internet Site
- Balıkesir Government Web Page
- Balıkesir University Web Page
- Balıkesir Spor FC Web Page
- Lots of pictures of the city of Balıkesir
- Balıkesir sport the best populer team
- International Area Code of Balıkesir
- Balikesir Folklore and Cuisine Photos
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- Balikesir Publicity (Video)