Kuşadası History

In 1413, Kuşadası entered into the domination of the Ottoman Empire by I.Mehmed (Çelebi).  After that date the city, under the control of Ottomans, began to fill with art workmanship of the Turks. Of these, Caravanserai and fortifications walls of Kuşadası were built by Mehmet Pasha.

During the period, the city which was surrounded by walls could only be accessed via the gates of the fortification walls -of which there were only three.  Today, the only remaining one of these gates can be seen separating Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Street and Kahramanlar Street. During the era the upper part of this gate was used as Intracity Regional Traffic Management Office.

Güvercinada (Pigeon Island), which served as an important military base for the Byzantines, underwent major renovations in 1834 during which its famous castle was built. Kuşadası (with its literal meaning of Bird Island) derived its name from Güvercinada.

Kuşadası was occupied by Italy and the by Greece between 1919-1921 during the War of Independence and was liberated from the army invasion on September 7, 1922 during the same war under the commandership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Today, Kuşadası proudly celebrates September 7th as its Independence Day.