Konak

Konak is a central district of İzmir Province in western Turkey. The name derives from konak, an Ottoman Turkish term for a large house or mansion. The district sits on the southern shore of the Gulf of İzmir and forms the historic core of the city, combining historic Ottoman and early-modern architecture with modern commercial and civic facilities.

The district is home to several of İzmir’s most recognizable landmarks. Konak Square, anchored by the Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi) completed in 1901 to commemorate Abdul Hamid II’s 25th year on the throne, is a long-standing city landmark. The nearby Kemeraltı Market, a vast historic bazaar, has long served as İzmir’s commercial heart, offering a wide range of goods and services. The Asansör, an early 20th-century hillside elevator, connects the lower and upper parts of the city and provides views across the İzmir Gulf. Kültür Park, a large urban park within Konak, hosts the İzmir International Fair grounds and serves as a major cultural and recreational space.

Historically, Konak developed as the administrative and commercial core of Smyrna (the historic name for İzmir) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The district contains a mix of neoclassical, Ottoman-era, and modern buildings, reflecting İzmir’s role as a major port and cosmopolitan hub. The area experienced significant disruption during the Great Fire of Smyrna in 1922, after which rebuilding shaped much of its present appearance.

Administratively, Konak is governed by a district municipality within the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. It remains a major transportation and commercial hub, served by rail at Basmane Station and by numerous road and urban transit routes that connect the city center with the wider region.