The City and the Gulf of Izmir

The image was taken when climbing Mount Yamanlar located above Karsiyaka, a part of the city on the north coast of the gulf. We were heading to Karagol (Black Lake) on the top of the mount. I will upload images of the lake later on.

Mount Yamanlar is located within the boundaries of the Greater Metropolitan Area of the city.
Although practically accessible from Izmir, Yamanlar is a less popular excursion spot for the inhabitants of the city as it is reached by a steep winding narrow road. A village of the same name is found on its slopes by the road to the summit. The village administratively depends on İzmir's metropolitan district of Karsiyaka.

The summit (1,076 m, 3,530 ft) commands an expansive view of the Gulf of İzmir and of the city from the northeast. A crater lake called "Karagol" (meaning "Black Lake" in Turkish) is located near the summit. The lake is surrounded with wild nature, mustang horses and clean mineral water springs. Karagol is 3500 square meters, heart shaped and full of fish and other mystical creatures. It is usually associated with the accounts of Tantalus, the region's first known ruler. Because of this, the lake's name is sometimes also called by his name. Mount Yamanlar was the location of the first recorded settlement which controlled the Gulf of Izmir circa 1440 BC, founded by Tantalus and possibly named "Naulochon", deriving its wealth from the mines of the region. On the steep southeastern slopes of the mountain, there is a "Tomb of Tantalus" dating from this very early period in history. The first location of Izmir (Old Smyrna) was also at the foot of Mount Yamanlar on what was at the time a small peninsula.