?zmir
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The oldest civil work of Greek architecture in ancient Smyrna is the stone fountain, built in the first half of the 7th century BCE. Standing on Mount Yamanlar (Da??), which is disputably a part of the legendary Mount Sipylus (Spil Da?? today), the tomb of Tantalus is an example of the tholos type monumental tombs. The grave room of Tantalus' tumulus was in the plan of the fountain, displaying a style called isopata, meaning the construction has a rectangle plan, covered by vaults made with corbel technique. This monumental work is thought to be the tomb of the Basileus or Tyrant who ruled ancient Smyrna in 580-520 BCE. The Agora of Smyrna is well preserved, and is arranged into the Agora Open Air Museum of ?zmir, although important parts buried under modern buildings are still to be brought to daylight. Serious consideration has also been given to excavating the ancient theatre, distinguishable until the 19th century as evidenced by its sketchings done by a Prussian consul of the period, which is buried in our day under an urban zone on the slopes of Kadifekale (Mount Pagos). On top of this hill soars the ancient castle which is one of the landmarks of ?zmir. The theatre of Smyrna was where St. Polycarp had been martyred. Also we should mention ?zmir Birds Paradise in Çi?li, which has 205 species of birds.
The ?zmir International Fair (IEF), the oldest member from Turkey of the International Union of Fairs is held in Kültürpark, covering an area of 421,000m2 in the heart of the city. Aside from this main event, organized in the beginning of September each year, there are up to forty notable fairs and expositions held around the year in different areas of activity. These fairs have made great contributions to ?zmir's social and cultural life with its vast ground, open-air theatres, Painting and Sculpture Museum, art centers, amusement park, zoo and parachute tower.
The ?zmir International Festival beginning in mid-June and continuing to mid-July, has been organized since 1987. During the annual festival, many world-class performers such as soloists and virtuosi, orchestras, dance companies, rock and jazz groups including Ray Charles, Paco de Lucia, Joan Baez, Martha Graham Dance Company, Tanita Tikaram, Jethro Tull, Leningrad Philarmonic Orchestra, Chris De Burgh, Sting, Moscow State Philarmony Orchestra, Jan Garbarek, Red Army Chorus, Academy of St. Martin in the Field, Kodo, Chick Corea and Origin, New York City Ballet, Nigel Kennedy, Bryan Adams, James Brown, Elton John, Kiri Te Kanawa, Mikhail Barishnikov and Josep Carreras have given recitals and performances at various venues in the city and surrounding areas, including the ancient theatres at Ephesus and Metropolis (an antique Ionian city situated near the town of Torbal?).
