Page 47 - Kanyoning Türkiye

YILKI ATLARI Semih ATÇI

Brown-haired Yılkı (Jade Horses) and, if the season Be sure not to miss such places as Kırkağaç, the
permits, paragliders taking to the air. As you home of the Manisa melon, the famous Lake
approach the summit, you will come across the Marmara and the town of Alaşehir - built on the
Atalanı Yalası picnic areas where the residents site of the ancient city of Philadelphia. Also, there
of Manisa love to relax. Setting off for the return is Sarıgöl, home to the vineyards that grow the
journey, before you re-enter the city, one should Sultaniye grape, the beautiful Darkale (Tarhala)
not go without discovering Weeping Rock. Weeping village located in Soma, and the ancient city of
Rock is associated with the legend of Niobe, the Thyatira in modernday Akhisar-its millennium-old
olive tree groves will invite you to spend time in
daughter of Tantalus, who was also the King of them. The Şnely decorated miniature horse carts
Sipylus in Lydia. According to legend, at Mount Spil, only found in Akhisar are so elegant that they may
due to her bragging about having had 12 children eventually find themselves parked in a little corner
and thus angering the gods and goddesses, Apollo of your house. Kula county’s old houses, and colorful
and Artemis killed Niobe’s children with arrows. Even streets abundant with bikes and motorcycles, and
when turned to Stone, a mother’s tears cease to its hosts - are all eager to welcome you in for a
stop. Even today, Niobe’s tears şow out of an eye- cuppa in their vine-filled, shaded gardens-ensuring
shaped rock on a slope of the mountain, with her that traditional hospitality is kept alive. Once you’ve
silhouette peering out into the distance. One of succumbed to the scent of wood and pickles filling
Manisa’s most famed landmarks are the ruins of the courtyard of the historical Zabunlar House,
the ancient city of Sardes situated in Salihli, a place currently used as a layby for travellers, you may
awash with South Koreans, Americans and tourists want to pay a visit to the fairy chimneys shaped by
from other countries. The magnificent gymnasium, the wind and rain, situated 18 kilometers away. Not
just a small Cappadocia, but you will also find a real
particularly so when lit by the morning sun, is treasure in Kula, for borne out of tectonic activity
enough to demonstrate the glory of civilisations built is Turkey’s first “Geopark”. Before setting off for
by the the Lydians. If you’re addicted to casseroles, Geopark, I recommend donning your walking boots
then the terracotta crockery made in the village of and connecting with a guide. Come and discover
Gökeyüp, considered an important folk art, would Manisa’s mountains, rock, ancient cities, vineyards,
make a wonderful new addition to your kitchen. gardens and healing waters…

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