Mesir Macunu, Carpets, Sardis

The attractive Aegean city of Manisa preserves several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Endowed by Ayse Sultana, mother of Suleyman the Magnificent, the Sultan Mosque was built early in the 16th century. Every year in March, the "Mesir" Festival is organized. The "Mesir Macunu" which is believed to have cured Ayse Sultan, the mother of Kanuni Sultan Suleyman (Suleyman the Magni- ficent), is made by mixing various spices and is distributed to the public during the festival from the veranda of the Sultan Mosque. 

The 16th-century Muradiye Mosque was designed by the great architect Sinan.

The adjacent medrese, or theological college, today houses the Archaeological Museum. The annual Harvest Festival begins in September when the fruits of the vineyards are brought in amid great celebration. The region's numerous vineyards produce grapes that are then dried for export. South of the city lies the Sipil Dagi National Park, home of the famous "crying rock" of Niobe. If you travel to the northeast you come to Gordes, a pleasant town particularly known for its fine carpets.

The most splendid city of Manisa Province is Sardis which has many other magnificent mosques coming from the Ottoman Period. Sardis, the capital city of the Lydian Kingdom, located at the starting point of the famous "King's Road" which extends towards the east, was an important trade center. In fact, Sardis was where metal coins were used for the first time in the world as a commercial value. The Temple of Artemis, restored gymnasium and one of the oldest and largest synagogues in Anatolia dates from the third century A.D. are the places which are most frequently visited in Sardis today. On the south side of Sardis, Mt. Boz (ancient Mt. Tmolus) is good for hiking and other mountain sports.

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