How a Roman emperor's hunting trip birthed a Turkish metropolis
In short: Long before it became a Turkish administrative hub, this region was a Roman outpost established after a successful bear hunt. From imperial estates to devastating earthquakes and mysterious fires, the history of Balıksebır is a saga of survival and reconstruction.
The origins of Balıkesir trace back to 124 A.D., when the Roman Emperor Hadrian visited the region for a successful bear hunt. He established a settlement named Hadrianutherae, which likely comprised a castle, a stud, a homestead, and several homes near the site of the current stadium. As the centuries progressed, the area transitioned through the Byzantine period—when it was known as Palaiokastron, or 'Old Castle'—to the arrival of the Turkomans from Central Asia.
In the 13th century, Karasi Bey founded the city using the remains of the existing small town, establishing a date of 1297 for its foundation. This era saw the rise of the Karasids, a Turkic principality in Mysia, with the city serving as the capital of Karasi from 1341 until 1922. The name Balıkesir itself is thought to derive from 'Balukiser,' a name given by Turkomans referencing the 'Hisar' or castle ruins.
The city's modern history is marked by significant upheaval. An earthquake in 1898 was so destructive that only 51 buildings remained standing. Later, on 3 August 1950, a massive fire leveled much of the city center, destroying 498 shops. While some attribute the blaze to firecrackers in a shop, others suggest rats gnawed on firecrackers, sparking an electrical fire. Despite these disasters and the Greek occupation from June 1919 to September 1922, the city remains a vital metropolitan center in the Marmara region, with a provincial population of approximately 1,257,590 as of 2022.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Balıkesir
- Also: Wikidata — Balıkesir Province · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Balıkesir · CC0
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