Kozağaç, once famous promenade, awaits attention

- A trip to Kozağaç -

We pass the road under the highway that connects Buca Mustafa Kemal Neighborhood to Kozağaç hills and take a look around. These areas, which were once the picnic places of the people of Buca, are now completely parceled out. It is so parceled out that we can hardly reach the Kozağaç spring via a small dirt path that forms the border of the lands. When we reach the cave and its surroundings where the Kozağaç spring is located, the view disappoints us. Those who own land in the region have destroyed the region by digging the spring and its surroundings to get water from the spring with pipes. Each side is filled with stone fragments that were unearthed by the excavation of the caves and their surroundings. A few water reservoirs were built in the region, disrupting the natural texture of the environment. In addition, the glass bottles around the spring show that the region was also used by drinkers from time to time.

Despite all the negative effects of today's life and human beings, the source and its surroundings have not completely lost their majesty. A little water comes from the source. However, it is not in the quantity and quality that will transform the region into a promenade. The pipes placed in the source also distort the image too much. According to the Greek writer Karakas, the waters coming from Kozağaç during the Ottoman Period were cold underground waters and brought them out of a cave. It is not possible to understand whether the cave is the place where the water comes out today, but we look at the other caves above and cannot find any other water source. It appears that the mouth of a cave has been severely damaged by digging. Also, a fire was lit in the same place. From here, it is not difficult to guess that other sources have disappeared due to human influence.

Koz means "walnut" in Turkish. Greek writer Kararas stated in his book that Kozağaç means ''big tree''. There are still huge trees that gave Kozağaç its name. Of course, they are not as many as in the past, but even their presence gives a beautiful view to the area.

- Once upon a time Kozağaç -

Most of the people living in Buca today, when they say Kozağaç, they understand it as a neighborhood of Buca. Most of the people are unaware of Kozağaç, the once famous recreation spot. However, in ancient times Kozağaç was one of the most famous recreation areas of İzmir. The people who came here with its abundant waters and lush nature from the spring did not even want to return home. We understand from old sources that it was frequently preferred by Greeks and Levantine families before the Republic. Rumor has it that when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk came to Izmir, he stopped by Kozağaç and had a picnic there. At that time, Kozağaç was a very famous place. It was frequently used by the people of Buca in the following years. In Buca, buses are taken to Kozağaç on weekends and holidays. There were also many fruit trees and olive groves in the region. After urbanization in the 1980s, it gradually deteriorated. First, the other fountains under Kozağaç began to be closed. Afterwards, the Kozağaç spring became less flowing due to the destruction of human beings. Today, it is in danger of extinction if not taken care of.

- Kozağaç still salvageable -

Although Kozağaç is far from its former glorious days after the influence of mankind, it is not in a completely hopeless situation. The source is still flowing and the waters can still be saved. Since the upper part is military, there is no construction at the moment. In addition, there are still many trees in the area. It can still be turned into a promenade with the arrangement of the relevant people. Of course, this will require sincere work without expecting a profit. Despite all the urbanization and change, Kozağaç, which was once the subject of Greek songs with its beauty, is silently waiting for attention and salvation in a corner today.

Source: atalarimizintopraklari.com