History

The history of Balikesir and its around has been a settlement since 3200 B.C. During 2000 B.C Pelasgs who came from the Balkans founded colonies here. Balikesr hosted Pyrigg ,Lidya, Persian Macedonian , Bergama Kingdom ,Rome and Byzantium civilizations. After Malazgrit War in 1071, the son of Seljuk Master (Kalem Sah), Karesi Bey founded Karesiogullari Beylik and made Balikesir the centre of Karesiogullari. Then he accepted the sovereignty of Ottoman.