Mount Sipylus
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Mount Sipylus (in Turkish Spil Dağı) is a mountain rich is legends and history situated near the city of Manisa in Aegean Region of Turkey, towering along the road between İzmir and Manisa. The elevation of the mountain is 1513 meters. Mount Yamanlar overlooking the Gulf of İzmir, actually en extinct volcano with a crater lake on its top, is usually considered as an extension of Mount Sipylus mass.
[edit] History
In Greek mythology, Smyrna which was close to Mount Sipylus was ruled by Tantalus. His daughter was the tragic Niobe. Electrum, a natural compound of gold and silver, which was found in the region, made the cities of Lydia rich. Ingots and rings of fixed weights circulated here before the first coins were minted.
In historic times, Mount Sipylus rose above the site of Magnesia ad Sipylum (in the south of Manisa), on the Hermus River which was (190 BC) the scene of the defeat of Antiochus III "the Great" by the Romans, at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BC.
[edit] Spil Today
Today the Spil Dağı National Park is an attraction point for tourists and locals. The famous "weeping rock" of Niobe still can be seen with the richly forested and beautiful scenery area surrounded with flowers, especially with wild tulips called Anemon. The mountain is also a good spot for camping, hiking and other mountain sports.
[edit] External links
- Spil Dağı National Park web site (Turkish)
