Understand
Ayvalik was an important trade centre during Ottoman times, it had an autonomous status and even many European powers setted up consulates. The city then was almost completely inhabited by Greeks, who were exchanged with Turks from Crete when a population swap was mandated between governments of Turkey and Greece in 1923. The fusion of local Greek and Cretan cultures caused the character of todayâs Ayvalik: while most of the physical historical heritage is clearly Greek, the everyday culture lived on the streets between those buildings, including the local food, is mainly Cretan.
Ayvalikâs ancient name was Kydonia. Although both Kydonia and Ayvalik means âthe place of quinceâ, the city is rather known for and indeed surrounded by a seemingly endless forest formed by olive trees. Olive has been important to Ayvalik in all ages, as it has been revered by both former Greek residents and present Cretan âimmigrantsâ who live in Ayvalik for at least three generations.
Ayvalik is one of two bigger towns in northern Aegean Region which has achieved to conserve its traditional architecture to a high degree, that is, with the other such town being Foça, which is located about 60 km north of Izmir.
Tourism Information Office