Bornova Levantine Mansions
Mansions built by Levantine families living in Izmir in the 19th century form Bornova's historic fabric. The Charlton Mansion, Paterson Mansion and Whittal Mansion are the best known.
View on map8 places to visit in the Bornova district of Izmir: Ege University Campus and Botanical Garden, Bornova Levantine Mansions and Bornova Big Park. Plan your trip to Bornova with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Bornova is located 8 km north-east of Izmir’s city centre. It covers an area of 220 km², and the average elevation of the district centre is 87 metres above sea level.
History
The name appears in Ottoman records as Birunabad. Bornova remained a Christian settlement until the late Ottoman period. In the final period of the Ottoman State, Bornova became a residential location preferred by the wealthy Levantine families of Izmir. The first football match in Turkey was played in Bornova in 1890, between British sailors who had come to Izmir and young men from Izmir.
Education and Health
The main campus of Ege University is located in Bornova. The Selçuk Yaşar Campus of Yaşar University is also in the Ağaçlıyol area of Bornova. The district has six stations of the Izmir Metro.
Transport and Infrastructure
Bornova is the hub of the road networks Izmir–Istanbul, Izmir–Ankara, Izmir–Aydın and Izmir–Çanakkale. The Izmir Ring Road and the Izmir–Gebze Motorway pass through the district.
History and Culture
Izmir was liberated on 9 September 1922, when the Turkish army entered through the Belkahve Pass in the upper part of Bornova. Bornova separated from Merkez district and became a district on 1 April 1958. The extension of the railway in 1865 made Bornova a settlement preferred by Levantine families.
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