Çeşme, Coastal district and resort town in İzmir Province, Turkey.
Çeşme is a coastal town on a peninsula in İzmir Province that extends into the Aegean Sea. The landscape is flat and low-lying, with sandy beaches, coves, and natural thermal springs that emerge from the ground.
The region was originally an ancient Greek settlement called Erythrae that developed into an important trading center. The Ottomans later took control and made it a port for ships traveling their trade routes.
The name originates from the Turkish word for fountain, reflecting the many water sources scattered throughout the town that have always served as gathering spots. These springs shaped how people moved through and used the space over centuries.
The town is best reached by car, as a major road connects it directly from İzmir and offers plenty of parking. Regular ferries also depart for the nearby Greek island if you wish to take a day trip.
Beneath the town lie remains of an ancient Aphrodite temple that archaeologists discovered in recent excavations. The coins, statues, and inscribed stones found there show that this place was sacred for hundreds of years.
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