Manisa Province

Manisa is an attractive, modern city with a far-reaching past in the Aegean region of Anatolia. Its history goes back to 500 BC but the first known settlements date back to the 14th century BC.

Since the great Ottoman Sultans chose Manisa as the training ground for crown princes, there are many examples of Ottoman architecture, as well as Seljuk. The Sultan Mosque of the 16th century was built for Ayse Sultan, mother of Suleyman the Magnificent. In her honor, the Mesir Macunu Festival (Spiced Candy which is supposed to restore health, youth and potency, called as "Turkish Viagra" as well) is held every year in March, in the grounds of this mosque.