The Southern Marmara - Çanakkale, Balıkesir, and Bilecik

Uludağ - BURSA

The Southern Marmara. The Çanakkale, Balıkesir, and Bilecik provinces are located at the south of the Marmara Sea. Çanakkale was founded on the eastern shore, at the narrowest passage of the Çanakkale Strait, which is an important sea passage. The Çimenlik and Kilitbahir Citadels, which date back to the 15^th century, add exceptional beauty to the strait. The Çanakkale Monument of the Fallen (Çanakkale Şehitleri Anıtı), which is 42 m. high, was erected at the southern end of the National Park in memory of the 500,000 soldiers who fell in battle on the Çanakkale battle field during the First World War. There are also British and French monuments in the vicinity. The Anzac Monument, on which Atatürk’s speech about the Çanakkale Battles is written, is located at Anzac Bay on the Arıburnu Coast where the Anzac soldiers landed. This speech is one of the everlasting documents of universal humanism.

Ancient cities extend from north to south, to the northwest of Çanakkale. The historical, ancient city of Troy where King Priam, Hector, Paris and beautiful Helen referred to in Homer’s epic, “The Iliad”, once lived, and which is famous for its large, wooden Trojan horse, is located 30 km. southwest of Çanakkale. Homer, the great ancient bard was an Anatolian. Further to the south of Troy, are the cities of Neandreia, Alexandria, Troas, Chryse and Assos. Behramkale (Assos in history), is also a holiday center where intellectuals gather. The Temple of Athena at the Assos Acropolis, which is at an altitude of 248 m. above sea level, was constructed in the 6^th century B.C.