Kaz Mountain or Mount Ida Balikesir
;)
Kaz Daglari ( Kaz Mountains ) or Mount Ida is 1,774m high and above the Gulf of Edremit. Once known as the home of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses, Homer referred to it as “The house of the Gods” from where they charmed, seduced, tricked, married and betrayed one another.
This area is important for its natural environment its history and culture. Kaz Mountains has one of the highest oxygen ratios in the world with the Swiss Alps having the highest and which is generated by the wind blowing from its northern edges, blending with the oxygen from the dense flora and then iodine coming from the sea on its south-side.
The Mount separates the Aegean and Marmara regions and the land and sea climate offers a diversity of biological element’s, is rich in fauna and flora, it has 100s of natural springs and a large wildlife population; the area has been declared a National Park and hunting here is banned. On the southern slopes cutting deep into the Mount and down into the valley’s are streams and brooks where you can see birds such as falcon, hawk, kestrel and raven. During migration periods it is an important stop over place for quail, partridge, blackbird and pheasant and bears, wolves and deer can also be seen here.
The Turks who migrated here in the 15th century under the orders of Mehmet the Conqueror were famed for their woodwork on new ships needed for Mehmet’s navy and played a crucial role in his conquest of Istanbul.
This area is important for its natural environment its history and culture. Kaz Mountains has one of the highest oxygen ratios in the world with the Swiss Alps having the highest and which is generated by the wind blowing from its northern edges, blending with the oxygen from the dense flora and then iodine coming from the sea on its south-side.
The Mount separates the Aegean and Marmara regions and the land and sea climate offers a diversity of biological element’s, is rich in fauna and flora, it has 100s of natural springs and a large wildlife population; the area has been declared a National Park and hunting here is banned. On the southern slopes cutting deep into the Mount and down into the valley’s are streams and brooks where you can see birds such as falcon, hawk, kestrel and raven. During migration periods it is an important stop over place for quail, partridge, blackbird and pheasant and bears, wolves and deer can also be seen here.
History
This was the place where Paris (son of King Priam of Troy) judged the first ever beauty contest between Hera, Athena and Aphrodite and on choosing Aphrodite, the goddess of love, ultimately causing the Trojan War. It is also where Hera seduced Zeus and distracted him whilst the Achaeans entered Troy with their Trojan Horse and consequently conquered the city. From historical findings in the area it is known that throughout history many different settlements have been made on the outskirts of Mount Ida.The Turks who migrated here in the 15th century under the orders of Mehmet the Conqueror were famed for their woodwork on new ships needed for Mehmet’s navy and played a crucial role in his conquest of Istanbul.
