MORE THAN REGISTER: İZMİT

They said "One who eats will regret once, and whoever does not regret it a thousand times." Inevitably, when Izmit is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is this cotton-looking dessert. The Pismaniye, which most of us bought as a gift while passing through Izmit, was found for the first time by Hayri Usta, a confectioner in Kandira. In 1919, İbrahim Çınar learned the preparation of this dessert and continued in Izmit. Over the years, this slightly sweet has become the symbol of Izmit. In 2009, it even entered the Guinness Book of Records with the title of "The Longest Dessert in the World" with a regret shot of 1040 meters. In 2010, it received a geographical registration certificate. According to a rumor; It was named "Peshmek" because it was thought to be the place where it was first built in Iran, and it was passed into Turkish as Peshmaniye. According to another rumor, it derives from the word Peşmin, which means wool fleece in Ottoman. Regardless of its origin, Pismaniye is now a world-famous dessert. But Izmit has many tastes and places to see and tastes outside of Pismaniye.

Located right at the knees of Istanbul, it is also an industrial city. in Izmit; You can stay in Izmit central hotels with all kinds of comfort. Or in Kartepe, Turkey's major ski resorts; You can also stay at Izmit hotels in districts such as Değirmendere, Gölcük, Kandıra or Karamürsel. In Izmit, which offers many options for thermal tourism, congress tourism, faith and plateau tourism, mountaineering and underwater sports, Izmit hotel prices offer options for every budget from 5-star hotels to hostels.

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO EAT IN IZMIT

Izmit, located on the natural passageway between Asia and Europe, was first east, by immigrants from Megara, in 712 BC, under the name Astakoz. In 262 BC, it was settled in the region where today's Izmit is located, and the city was named Nicomedia after the king of Bithynia, Nikomedes. After the city came under Ottoman rule in 1331, it first took the name Iznikmid and finally Izmid.

When you come to Izmit, the central district of Kocaeli, you will meet the train station. In Izmit Archeology and Ethnography Museum, located in the complex where this neo-classical building drew by the German architect Otto Ritter is located; Artifacts from the Paleolithic, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods are on display.

The USA Everson ship, built by the USA in 1946 at the end of the Second World War, Korea after joining the war and Vietnam it was bought by Turkey in 1973 and was named USS Eversole. This ship is today anchored in front of Izmit Train Station and there are maritime museums and exhibition centers inside. We also recommend you to visit the Gayret Ship Museum.

In the 580-acre Seka Park, one of the largest city parks in the world; marina pier, paper museum, city museum, recreation areas, stairs to the sea, light towers and sea watchtower. As far as Seka Park, it is not without seeing the Thokoly Imre House and its museum, where the representative tomb of the Hungarian King Thokoly Imre, who lived in Izmit 300 years ago, is also located.

Izmit Clock Tower, which was built in 1902 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Abdulhamid II's ascension to the throne; With its lead covered roof and its unique long cone, it is one of the symbolic structures of Izmit. Next to the tower is Izmit Palace, Kasrı Hümayun, also known as Sultan Abdulaziz's Hunting Lodge. The two-storey baroque facade of Kasr-ı Hümayun, which was built by Sultan Abdülaziz for its architect Garabet Amira Balyan in the 19th century, is surrounded by marble columns. Kasr-ı Hümayun should be one of the most important stops of your Izmit visit with its arched windows arranged in thin, long and round forms to provide sufficient lighting, striking marble workmanship and ceiling decorations. Another important aspect of the building is that Atatürk held a press conference with local and foreign journalists in Izmit, where he came to inspect the Kocaeli Group before the Great Victory.

16. Abdusselam Imaret Mosque, built at the beginning of the century and repaired by Mimar Sinan in the same century; New Bath, thought to have been built in the 18th century; Kapanca Street, which is one of the rare streets where you can see the characteristics of 19th century architecture and urban texture; Zeliha Kadın Fountain, which was built in 1827 and whose inscription says "Those who are in joy, drink water from this fountain and water your plants"; Selim Sırrı Pasha Mansion, whose outbuilding was built with bricks specially imported from France and interior wall decorations, decorated by painters who came for the restoration of the Dolmabahçe Palace; Süleyman Pasha Bath, built by Süleyman Pasha, son of Orhan Gazi; Karaburç, which is located on one of the hills dominating Izmit, defined as a cultural asset to be protected by UNESCO and which is a common work of Byzantine, Byzantine and Ottoman periods; Built right after the conquest of Izmit, the Orhan Mosque and the Pertev Mehmet Pasha Complex in the city center are the must-see places of Izmit.

Of course, when it comes to Izmit, Masukiye You cannot return without finding peace in the lush green nature of Turkey. Maşukiye got its name from “Maşuk” which means lover. For a long time, when it was used as a kind of honeymoon route, it started to be said "whoever comes here falls in love" and it was also called the City of Lovers. After trying the famous mixed breakfast of Maşukiye, which offers different beauties in all four seasons, you can take nature walks in many plateaus of Maşukiye, especially Kirazlı or Kuzu Plateaus; You can travel on Sapanca Lake by pedalo or canoe. If you come in the winter season, Kartepe, which is 16 km from Maşükiye and is the second largest mountain of the Marmara Region with a height of 1601 meters. Do not turn around without skiing in either.

DO NOT GO UNLESS

• Starting from the historical Izmit Train Station, be sure to visit the symbol buildings of our recent history in Izmit.
• Izmit Archeology and Ethnography Museum And after 25 years in the service of the Turkish Navy, you should definitely stop by the Gayret Ship Museum, which is used as a museum today.
• Have a rest in Seka Park, one of the largest city parks in the world Visit its museums and enjoy numerous activities.
• Enjoy a mixed breakfast or trout in the peaceful nature of Maşukiye. If you want, you can play paintball or tour with ATV.
• Take nature walks in Sapanca Lake, which is a nature treasure.
• Be sure to visit Kartepe, where you can ski for six months of the year.
• Finally, do not return without regretting that you identify with Izmit.