About
About “Meandros, Delta of Civilizations Project”
It is a regional trademark which embraces all creations of the civilizations with common 3.000-year cultural history which formed at the place where Meandros River disembogue into the sea and flourished around the Meandros Delta from prehistoric times till present days, appropriates their historic cultural and artistic heritage and aims to preserve scenic beauties and natural life.
WHAT IS IT?
The project “Delta of Civilizations, Meandros” is a regional strategy which highlights the organic and cultural association of cities with common history and shared fate.
SCOPE
DIDIM
AKBUK
AKKOY
BALAT
MILET
GULLUBAHCE
GELEBEC
PRIENE
DOGANBEY
KARINA
SOKE
MAGNESIA
MYUS
BAFA LAKE
HERAKLEIA
KAPIKIRI
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To promote the region in national and international markets by creating a regional trademark with culture and nature theme. -
To extend tourism operations to all year round and cover the whole of the region by diversifying tourism.
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To create inventory and appropriate the historical, cultural and natural heritage of the region.
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To ensure that the people of the region appropriate their own cultural heritage and to provide information about the historical past of the region they live in.
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To carry out activities which will bring vision and impetus to the region.
AIMS
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To create a TRADEMARK TOURISM REGION able to better compete in national and international markets.
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To ensure that the “Delta of Civilizations Meandros”, the regional trademark with culture and nature theme, is pronounced a trademark tourism region within the scope of the “Tourism Strategy Programmes of Turkey” of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism which is also recognised by the public institutions.
TARGETS
THE MEANDER (MEANDROS) RIVER
The river which determined the historical
and geographical fate of the region.
The Meandros River, known in the world as Meander, famous for its legends, is a river which due to its twisting and turning path entered the vocabulary of all world languages as “Meander: a slow and relaxed walk”.
Herodotus calls rivers like the Meandros “Working Rivers”. Indeed, the Meandros River like a living organism shaped and re-shaped the region throughout its 3.000-years history. Until 50 years ago, the Meandros River used to determine the life of the people of the region.
CRADDLE OF CIVILIZATIONS
Lower Menderes Basin
The most important feature of the region is its richness of archaeological sites. The most prominent cities shaping the ancient period are located in this area. Ancient cities such as Miletus, Priene, Didyma, Magnesia on the Meandros, Herakleia and Myus were founded on this geography and were closely associated. These cities, which were the main centre of all cultural, historical and artistic achievements of the ancient city life, sustain the region with all their glory.
The basin, being one of the important cultural centres in Turkey as well as its importance on a global level with its historical past and archaeological relics, is a part of the world cultural heritage. The region with its arable land and availability of all resources suitable for all kinds of tourism has at the same time infrastructure to meet all these activities. Miletus, Didyma and Priene are among the top five ruins attracting most visitors in Turkey. The region, alongside its ancient past, has also attracted world’s attention with finds dating from the prehistoric ages which have been unearthed in research carried in recent years (Herakleia and Besparmak “Latmos” Mountains). The region is also in central position regarding historical and faith tourism with its assets from the Ottoman and Byzantine Periods.
A RIVER THAT CHANGES THE MAP
The sea area filled up with alluvium carried by Meandros River for thousands of years.
Map of the Region
Have a look at the interactive map and space photos of the region of the Delta of Civilizations Meandros.
Regional Photos
Have a look at the photos in the Gallery Meandros to get a better understanding of the Delta of Civilizations.
Logo and Media
Have a look at the Download page for downloading logos and photos with high resolution suitable for printing:
Soke Plain
Port cities around the inland sea 2.500 years ago…
Magnesia Meandrum
Priene
The ancient cities of Miletus, Didyma, Priene, Magnesia on the Meander, Herakleia and Myus all possessed strategic importance in their respective ages and had features of port and coastal cities. Over time, these cities have lost these features due to the alluviums deposited by the Meander River. Presently, none of the cities, except Didim, have direct connection with the sea.
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How the regional trademark is established and what it symbolizes? For detailed information, check the Regional Trademark Analysis page:
The Meander
Figure
Meander: (mi’Endl) (river) formation of a snaking pattern. Meander, which has entered dictionaries and world literature, derived from the ancient names of Meandros River (Turkish: Menderes, Antique: Meandros, Maiandros). The Meander Figure, in turn, is an ancient design specific to the region which depicts the turning and twisting path of the river. It is frequently found in many ancient cities and temples.
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How the regional trademark is established and what it symbolizes? For detailed information, check the Regional Trademark Analysis page:
