Mount Ida

Located in the North of Edremit Bay, Mount Ida is one of the places worth seeing in the country with its rich fauna and flora. It is known as the second most important oxygen store in the world after the Alps. Contrary to popular belief, it was not the forest that produced this oxygen, but the seaweed. The oxygen produced in the sea was vacuumed up like a chimney from the canyons between the mountains and accumulated intensely between 800 and 1200 meters. The sweetness of sleep in Mount Ida comes from these oxygen levels.

When some factors such as oxygen level, humidity coming from the sea, and the height of the mountain came together, a very special ecosystem was formed here; it contains many plant species that could not grow in other geographies. There are more than 800 plant species in Mount Ida, 49 of which are endemic to Anatolia and 31 to this national park. It is critical for the world, just like the Amazons, in terms of the richness and uniqueness of the species it hosts. There are resources from all over Mount Ida. Even at an altitude of 1500 meters, there are springs with summer and winter water. The ice-cold and abundant drinking and utility water of Edremit, Akçay, and Altınoluk is the melting snow waters of Mount Ida. Mount Ida was taken under protection in 1994 and was declared a national park. Therefore, there are no settlements at the top of Mount Ida. Around Mount Ida, you can find accommodation options from small and boutique hotels to pensions to suit all tastes and budgets.

History of the Region

Mount Ida hosted various civilizations in prehistoric years. Cities and towns were established and destroyed in this region at different times. Its known history begins in 2000 BC. During these years, Thebe city, Lyrnessos city, Khrysa city, Killa city, Anderia city, Antandros city, Adramytteion city, Astrya city, and Gargara city were established in the region. However, most of them were destroyed during the Trojan wars.

It was named Ida by Cretan sailors to refer to Mount Ida in Crete, where Zeus was born. Mount Ida is known as the mountain of mythological legends in the world. One of the legends about Mount Ida is the Greek legend Iliad. It is the place where the first beauty contest in the world was held in Greek mythology. As it is known, this beauty contest caused the famous Trojan wars in history due to its results.