Bornova

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Bornova
Forum Bornova, İzmir's largest and newest shopping mall inspired in concept by the city's traditional architecture, in Bornova
Forum Bornova, İzmir's largest and newest shopping mall inspired in concept by the city's traditional architecture, in Bornova
Location of Bornova within Turkey.
Location of Bornova within Turkey.
Country Flag of Turkey Turkey
Region Aegean
Province İzmir
Government
 - Mayor Sırrı Aydoğan (Republican People's Party)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 - Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 35x xx
Area code(s) 0232
Licence plate 35
Website: http://www.bornova.bel.tr/

Bornova is a district of İzmir Province of Turkey. It is one of the metropolitan districts of Greater İzmir, situated at a distance of 8 km (5 mi) from the city centre (Konak) and 5 km (3 mi) from the coast at the tip of the Gulf of İzmir.

Bornova was formerly called "Birunabad" (birun meaning "outer, exterior" in Persian and abad being a common suffix typical of a number of cities around the Islamic world, such as Islamabad, although abad usually comes after a proper name).

Being a very large and populous district (the estimated fixed population is 400.000 which rises to around a million counting the commuters), covering a virtually fully urbanized area of 205 kilometer squares, Bornova is divided into 7 municipal administrative zones called semt that are proper to sizable municipalities in Turkey, namely Bornova center, Özkanlar, Altındağ, Çamdibi, Işıkkent, Pınarbaşı and Yüzüncü Yıl, as well as the traditional quarters which may overlap these zones

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[edit] 19th century Bornova and the great Levantine mansions

Bornova used to be the summer residence of a number of foreign consuls and wealthy businessmen (see Levantines) fleeing the stagnantly hot weather in central İzmir to seek the cooler breeze of the slopes of Mount Yamanlar (Dağı) on which Bornova is situated. This move by diplomats and rich people was actually at the origin of the growth of the town in the 19th century, which used to be a small forestry village till then. The mansions and residences built at that time, and most of which have come to our day and have been restored, carry the prestigious names of former owners as Whittal, Maltass, Peterson, Giraud, Edwards, Belhomme, Pandespanian (see Levantine mansions of İzmir). There is a small Catholic Church named the "Church of Santa Maria", also dating from the 19th century, in the main square of Bornova.

19th century Belhomme mansion serves today as Bornova municipal library
19th century Belhomme mansion serves today as Bornova municipal library

The first football match in Turkey was held in Bornova in 1890 between British sailors on shore leave and young men of İzmir. Turkey's first athletic contest was also held in Bornova in 1895.

[edit] Modern Bornova

During the last decades, Bornova greatly extended in the surrounding plain that carries the same name, both in the direction of the seashore as well as towards Kemalpaşa, Altındağ and the İzmir-Aydın motorway. As well as an industrial base, it is also notable for its services and retail centers. One of the two largest shopping malls of İzmir, Forum Bornova, is located in Bornova.

Bornova is also home to the main campus of Ege University and Dokuz Eylül University.

Bornova's open market days or bazaars (held every Wednesday and Sunday) is also well-known in the region and an astounding variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, clothing, kitchenware and crafted products can be found by joining the youthful crowd of the market.

Bornova main square (with the 19th century Catholic church of Santa Maria on the right)
Bornova main square (with the 19th century Catholic church of Santa Maria on the right)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links