Observation terrace in Aegean allows panoramic view of two cities

A bird's-eye view of İzmir and Manisa provinces can be seen from the 517-meter-high (1,696 feet) observation decks at Mount Spil National Park.

In order to enliven tourism at the national park, the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs had overseen the construction of nine observation decks that were built on specific points on the Manisa plain at certain distances.

Construction of the second set of observation decks, which give visitors the opportunity to see Manisa and its neighboring city İzmir from almost three times higher at an altitude of 4,964 feet, has been completed and will soon be open to visitors - with the seventh one still being built.

The ministry's Fourth Regional Director Kerim Gençoğlu explained that the locations of the decks were chosen to be at the best places that allow spectators to see the city entirely.

"We constructed and are continuing to construct the observation decks at the perfect locations for visitors to take in the view. Our aim in building these structures is to provide a rest and picnic area for people who stop over in Manisa," Gençoğlu said.

"We have fountains in front of every observation deck. We named the first one 'The Tarzan of Manisa.' We will give names related to Manisa to the rest of the decks. We built a facility on the dumps with these constructions and want to draw the tourists' attention. We believe that the works will contribute to tourism," he added.

As Ahmet Daşdöven and his family enjoyed having a picnic on one of the completed observation decks, he said, "We can see Manisa and İzmir together. People were coming and sitting on the side of the mountain in the past. It was really dangerous but these observation decks provide a better place now. There is a perfect natural beauty."

Another visitor, Reşit Oyit also explained that they now have the opportunity to view Manisa from the decks.

"The observation decks are located in perfect places. I persuaded my friends to come here and they were amazed by the view. We visit here to watch the view from time to time," Oyit said.

Mehmet Güzel said that he and his friends take a walk to Mount Spil on the weekends to enjoy the view.

"We go hiking with my friends every weekend. The areas that we would take breaks on the trails were really bad and dangerous before, but now we have good places to rest with these observation decks. We also get the chance to take photographs of this unique beauty," Güzel said.