Isparta


Isparta is a city in western Turkey. It is the seat of Isparta Province and Isparta District. Its population is 247,580. Its elevation is 1035 m. It is known as the "City of Roses".
Isparta is well-connected to other parts of Turkey via roads. Antalya lies 130 km to the south and Eskişehir is 350 km to the north.
Süleyman Demirel University has introduced thousands of youths from varied backgrounds to the city's mostly conservative fabric in recent years. The city’s football team, Isparta 32 Spor, was founded in 1976 in Isparta. The club’s colors are green and pink, and the team plays its home matches at the 4,345-seat Isparta Atatürk City Stadium. It currently competes in the TFF Second League.

History

Roman era

Isparta is a Turkish spelling of Greek Sparta, by prothesis declustering.
Isparta was said to correspond to the ancient city of Baris, which is a namesake and was part of the Roman province of Pisidia. A later theory has it instead as the Eastern Roman fortress Saporda; in Muslim sources it appears as Sabarta. GE Bean characterized the situation thus: "These perpetually shifting conceptions leave the reader quite bewildered." Modern scholars locate Baris near Kılıç, in Keçiborlu district, Isparta province.
At an early stage it became a Christian bishopric, a suffragan of the Metropolitan see of Antioch of Pisidia, the capital of the province. The names of two of its bishops are known with certainty: Heraclius participated in the First Council of Nicaea in 325 and Leo in the Second Council of Nicaea in 787. In addition, Paulus was at the Council of Constantinople and Stephanus was at the Council of Constantinople, but one or both of these may have been of the Baris in the Roman province of Hellespontus. Like most sees in Asia Minor, it faded away.
On 19 September 1976, Turkish Airlines Flight 452, a Boeing 727 aircraft, crashed on a hill in Isparta, also known Mount Karatepe, killing all 154 passengers and crew.
On 30 November 2007, Atlasjet Flight 4203 crashed on approach to Isparta Süleyman Demirel Airport, killing all 57 passengers and crew.

Titular see

No longer a residential bishopric, 'Baris in Pisidia' is today listed by the Catholic Church as a titular bishopric, nominal suffragan of Nicomedia, since the diocese was nominally restored in 1933: Latin adjective Baren in Pisidia. It has been vacant for decades, having had the following incumbents, so far of the fitting Episcopal rank:
The main economic activities of Isparta are the production of rosewater and handmade carpets. Tourism, both local and increasingly international due to "biblical tourism", is becoming an important source of revenue.
In the early 20th century, carpetmaking was a major industry in Isparta.

Climate

Isparta has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate, or a temperate continental climate. Winters are chilly, rainy and often snowy, summers are hot and dry. The lakes around the city have an important moderating influence on the climate. Precipitation occurs mostly in the winter months, with a notable decrease in summer.

Sights

The city lies close to a fault line and is thus prone to violent earthquakes.
Most of the ancient city was destroyed by an earthquake 1914. So there are only a few historical buildings left. The oldest building is the Kutlu Bey Mosque, built in 1429 by Kutlu Bey, a general of Sultan Murad II. It was very badly destroyed by the earthquake 1914, but restored 1922.
Famous is the Firdevs-Bey-Camii from 1561. The mosque and the neighboring Bedesten are attributed to the architect Sinan. Badly damaged by earthquake in 1914, it was renovated afterwards.
Most of the churches have been destroyed, only a few remain, especially the Aya Payana Church ; a Greek-Orthodox church from 1750. In a state of ruin since 1923, the roof was re-covered in 1999. Another renovation is planned but has not yet been carried out
The city also has a museum.
Other sights include:

Notable people

Isparta is twinned with: