Foça is a coastal town located 70 km northwest of İzmir. When the city emerged as an Ionian settlement in Antiquity, the word Phokaia was named Phokaia because of the seals living in the surrounding sea. Foça is a mythological settlement mentioned in the epic of Homer as well as its historical and archaeological importance. In 1867, Foça and its subdistrict Yenifoça were merged and connected to the state of Manisa. It was under the rule of the Greeks from May 15, 1919 until September 11, 1922. During the War of Independence, on September 11, 1922, Atatürk entered Foça and September 11 began to be celebrated as the liberation of Foça.

Foça has two symbols as “Rooster” and “Seal Fish”. Siren Rocks, Şeytan Hamamı, Stone House (Monument Tomb), Beş Kapılar (Genoese) Castle, Ottoman Period Outer Castle, Fatih Mosque, Kayalar Mosque, Hafız Süleyman Mosque and Ottoman Cemetery, and civil architectural structures with the characteristics of Aegean architecture, enriches environmental values.

History: One of the important centers established by the Ions, who escaped from the Doric invasion in Greece and went to the Aegean coast and established many settlements here, including Smyrna, is Foça. The ancient city of Foça is included in the 12 Ionian troops and is located in the Aiolis region. Foça, which takes the name of the ancient city Phokaia from ‘seals’, had an important harbor and naval power in its period. Foça has established colonies in Alain in Corsica, Velia next to Pastum, Marseille and cities on the east coast of Spain with its naval fleet. Foça lived in Persia, Alexander the Great, Genoese and Ottoman periods.

Phokaia city, which entered a period of rapid rise starting from the 7th century BC, showed a great improvement in maritime according to the “Father of History” Herodotus. Phokaians, who use fast boats with 50 oars and 500 passenger capacity, are the first Helens to go on a long sea voyage. They introduced Adriatic Etruria, Iberia and Tartessos to the Hellenic world.

Climate: Mediterranean climate prevails in Foça. It is rainy and warm in winters and dry in summers. It takes a cool sea air from three sides. The average temperature of the summer months is 26 degrees, and the sea water temperature is 22 degrees. The hottest months of summer are July and August.

Places to Visit in Foca

Siren Rocks: The largest of these rocks, which are composed of islets resembling seals, are the rocks of the Orak Island. It is included in the Homeric epic and is mentioned as the rocks where the ships stunned their way were hit. Orak Island rocks are the largest of these rocks, consisting of islets resembling seals.

Şeytan Hamamı (Şeytan Hamamı): The rock-tomb type structure located at the foot of the Çan hill is known as Şeytan Hamamı. 2 km from the district center. away.

Stone House: 10 km from Foça. This rock monumental tomb, rising on the roadside, is semi-hewn. The structure, which was built under the influence of Persia, was built in the Lycian-Lydia tradition, and it was built in 4 BC. It is dated to the century.