Homer’s Caves Set to Become a New Attraction for Ecotourism

Bornova’s millennia-old history and exceptional natural environment have become a focal point for international projects seeking alternatives to mass tourism. As part of an ecotourism project carried out through Turkish-German cooperation, the caves believed to have been inhabited by the world-renowned poet Homer were explored in detail. Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki said, “We will make Bornova a global destination not only for its industry, but also for its hidden historical treasures and natural beauty.”

Turkish and German Academics Meet in Bornova

The project titled “Ecotourism as an Alternative to Mass Tourism in Türkiye,” conducted in collaboration between the Faculty of Tourism at İzmir Katip Çelebi University and Germany’s Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, brought researchers to Bornova’s historic sites. The delegation of academics and students, supported by TÜBİTAK and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), was deeply impressed by Bornova’s cultural heritage.

The delegation first visited the Yeşilova Mound Visitor Center, where Excavation Director Associate Professor Zafer Derin provided detailed information about İzmir’s rich 8,500-year history. The group then proceeded to Homer’s Caves in Kayadibi Neighborhood, Bornova, a site associated with Homer, widely regarded as a foundational figure in literary history.

History, Geography, and Literature Converge in This Landscape

During the visit to Homer’s Caves, archaeologist Dr. Mehmet Akif Erdem briefed the guide candidates and delegation, sharing historical evidence suggesting that Homer compiled his world-famous epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, in these caves. Drawing attention to the region’s rich flora and distinctive geography, Dr. Erdem noted that the geographical descriptions in Homer’s works closely correspond to existing archaeological evidence, highlighting the remarkable connection between history and nature in the area.

Mayor Eşki: “We Are Taking Bornova into the Future Through Sustainable Tourism”

Commenting on the project and Bornova’s tourism potential, Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that ecotourism offers a vital alternative to the environmental pressures created by mass tourism.

“While Yeşilova Mound gives Bornova the distinction of being home to İzmir’s earliest settlement, Homer’s Caves place our district at the very heart of the world’s literary heritage. Global tourism trends are shifting away from concrete and crowds toward nature, history, and sustainability.

“This collaboration between Turkish and German universities is a highly valuable step toward introducing Bornova’s ecotourism potential to the world. We are determined to develop tourism while protecting the flora, endemic diversity, and historical character of this unique landscape. Our goal is to preserve Homer’s legacy while creating new employment and local development opportunities for residents through ecotourism,” he said.