Gulf of Smyrna

The Gulf of Smyrna runs inland from the Aegean between the Karaburun peninsula and Foça, ending at the sheltered port of Smyrna. In December 1402 Timur reached the city after his victory at Ankara, captured its harbor castle and ordered it destroyed. Smyrna later grew into a great Ottoman trading port. By the early 17th century French and English consulates had moved there from Chios, each with its own quay for ships flying its flag.