URLA İSKELE

Dear readers, in this article we would like to take you to Urla, one of the pearls of the Aegean Region. Or more precisely, to Urla İskele. As you know, Urla center is a bit far from the sea, but the İskele district we're going to is intertwined with the sea.

It has a magnificent harbor. It is operated by the Urla Fisheries Cooperative, but almost as many sailors benefit from the harbor as fishermen. A life center with excellent offices, auction areas, pedestals, and healthy vaults.

All mariners live closely together through the marine-related events they organize. Friendship races, festivals, fishing tours. They all conclude with nice entertainments. It's not just men in this harbor; women are also involved with their boats.

Beautiful restaurants within the harbor, hotels and other establishments that continue to operate without disturbing the historical fabric are lined up along the waterfront. Urla is so intertwined with the sea that Ege University Faculty of Fisheries is also located here. In fact, training vessels are moored at the quay.

In the side streets, there are beautiful stone houses, art and artist venues. Many famous sailors and artists have lived in this town. Giorgos Seferis, and in our recent history, Tanju Okan. Some were born here, some migrated here.

Even on the hottest days, the wind never ceases. When northerly winds enter the Gulf of İzmir from between Karaburun and Foça, they first arrive at Urla.

The Urla sea, which was threatened by the pollution of the Gulf of Izmir, became one of the first locations where cleanliness was observed after rehabilitation efforts.

The water inside the harbor is crystal clear, if that's the right description.

The surrounding islands, with their favorable winds for sailing and variety of fish, are a blessing for those who wish to enjoy the sea.

Its slopes and mountains are covered with olive trees and pine trees.

With controlled construction, the fields remain in place, and the flower gardens stand intact. There are no high-rise buildings.

Turkey's largest and most prestigious nursing homes have been established in this region for its atmosphere and accessibility.

We wanted to talk to the residents, those who chose Urla. Why did they choose it, what were they looking for, what did they find, was their decision right?

First, we found our opera artist Hakan Aysev, who has been living in Urla in recent years. Aysev has settled in Urla. Not only has he settled, but he has also opened a magnificent art center in Urla İskele. We found him extremely dynamic, healthy and full of energy at the art center.

HAKAN AYSEV

"I lived in a world jewel of a place like Istanbul for years. In this city, people's lack of time, indifference, and lack of sharing created a social congestion in me.

When a journey that should take 20 minutes took 2.5 hours and I barely made it to the concert at the last second, I said to myself, Hakan, Don't Do This to Yourself Anymore. I called my friend who had been insisting for years that I move to Urla and told them I had made my decision.

Within 24 hours, I came to Urla, liked the house they recommended, and bought it.

I immediately returned to Istanbul and put my house up for sale.

A month after all this, I was completely settled in Urla.

Urla is a town I chose by chance, but as I lived there, I realized this decision was the right one.

Everywhere is a protected area, construction is extremely controlled. Those who don't allow haphazard development have made this a mission.

Human relationships are genuine, sincere.

There's an old Ankara, Istanbul atmosphere in the relationships.

When I was going to settle here, my friends thought I would retire. They were wrong.

I perform at İzmir Opera, at İstanbul Opera.

I participate in many concerts both in our country and abroad.

My recording work continues without interruption.

There has been no disruption in my work due to living in Urla.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport is close. For this reason, I can reach anywhere from Urla in 3 hours.

I wanted to put down roots in this town that I liked.

I thought about what I could do as an artist, where I could lend a hand in this beautiful place.

Finally, I opened this art center. I opened an art door for those who made art their passion, for those who want to receive education.

Friends persistently asked why not Alsancak or Istanbul for this decision.

I persistently opened it in Urla.

We work with exemplary instructors in their fields in our staff.

At the same time, our experienced, well-known instructors living in Urla teach our classes and train our artist candidates.

With the energy Urla provides me, I produce more and live more beautifully."

After Hakan Aysev, we wanted to talk with Ufuk Tiyanşan, a dentist who settled here 22 years ago.

Tiyanşan is a sea lover and Urla enthusiast who lives Urla with its sea, land, and mountains.

UFUK TİYANŞAN

"I settled here 22 years ago when I was 35 years old. They said what are you going to do there, what business do you have there at such a young age. I said this is exactly the age to live in these places and I came.

I built my house on the mountain myself, I arrange my garden myself. We are in a natural environment where wild boars and squirrels come right up to us. Until 3 years ago, I didn't even use central heating, I heated with a wood stove until that time.

Always in nature, always moving.

I have 2 boats. With one of them, I cruise around Izmir Bay and these areas.

My clinic is in the Balçova district. I live without getting caught up in city traffic and crowds.

I frequently go fishing with my boat named Tulrap. I usually catch bluefish and red mullet. We're planning to embark on a world voyage within 3 years with my sailboat named Maui, together with sailors from Urla.

I'm happy living in Urla, in my home, in nature, on my boat in this beautiful and warm shelter.

We even built a fishing boat here for my friend Ümit Karapançaoğlu.

"Working, engaging with nature, being around good people makes one happy and healthy."

After Ufuk Tiyenşan, we visited painter Hasan Gürsoy, who settled here 15 years ago after retiring. Gürsoy previously carried out his work in a stone building within the Yorgo Seferis hotel and establishments.

We now found him in his new atelier across from this structure.

HASAN GÜRSOY

"15 years ago, after retiring in Istanbul, I settled in Urla. Since that day, I have been involved in art here.

We established Urla art street and the art association. We bring together those who are devoted to art.

Now we have come to Urla iskele neighborhood. For a long time, we continued our work in the historic venue of Giorgos Seferis.

We hold painting and ceramic exhibitions here.

Urla is both a peaceful and cultural place.

The municipality is doing everything it can to prevent this place from deteriorating."

After Hasan Gürsoy, we return to the dock. We meet with sea enthusiast Ümit Karapança, who owns both a sailboat and a fishing boat.

A good racer, a good fisherman, an Urla enthusiast.

We found him at the sailors' gathering container.

He was preparing for fishing. We asked him about the marina. We asked about fisherman-sailor relations.

ÜMİT KARAPANÇA

"In this harbor, we fishermen and sailors live together like brothers. The fishing cooperative's perspective towards us is very positive.

As sailors, we built a fishing boat here with our own hands. It became an exemplary vessel. Both sturdy, aesthetic, and seaworthy. This boat and our work were greatly appreciated.

Our harbor is safe in every respect and has features that almost rival marina facilities.

This place is not just a harbor, but a living center, a social environment.

We are happy to be here and live here."

After Ümit Karapança, we saw EAYK Commodore Doctor Akif Sezer and his wife İlkben at their boat.

We asked the healthcare professionals who met and got married here about their Urla experience.

İLKBEN AND AKİF SEZER

"We said if we buy a boat, let's settle in Sığacık.

Then we started taking sailing lessons in Urla.

That's when we got to know this place and fell in love with it.

While ordering the boat, we applied to place our boat in this marina and got on the waiting list.

Three months later, when the boat arrived, a berth opened up. We've been moored at Urla marina since 2004.

We met and got married here. Urla means a lot to us.

We go to many different places, but in the end, the warm home we always come back to is Urla.

We feel different and special in Urla.

Here, women compete with their spouses, they cruise, they fish.

There are many weekly and monthly maritime events.

Urla makes women fall in love with the sea.

Fishermen and sailors together. Maritime friendships at their peak in the Urla sea."

Yes, we were in beautiful Urla of the Aegean, with its winds, fish, art centers and kind people.

In our next article, let's see where the wind will take us.

Stay healthy and well.