THE LIFT (ASANSOR)

Due to the difference in elevation between the two streets, an elevator was built by Nesim Levi,  a Jewish businessman in 1907,  with the aim to facilitate access  the road easily. He was also the grand  grandfather  of  great  French author  Mario Levi whose books are the best sellers all over the world.  Previously, people living here were forced to climb 155 steps to access to their houses so the lift, called “Asansör “ by Turkish people, made the life easier for inhabitants of the two districts. That is why the district is called as asansör-means the lift since it was built.

The lift (elevator) which was built according to the plans drawn by French and Italian engineers in Marseille was working with water power before the electicty had been used. The place where the elevator was built used to be stone quarry and the steps were very sharp and too difficult in winter to walk on by the elders whom they lived in that district. On the plaque of the entrance of the elevator writes the name Nesim Levi in French and Hebrew in 1907  with capital letters showing the year when it was built and the name of the person who built it.

The design of the elevator has been drawn  as castle-like structure having double lifts, one working with steam power, the other with electricity. The stone used on the walls of the structure have been brought from Marseille. During the restoration in 1985 both lifts  were turned into electricty. The place in which “Asansor “ is noted for as the street for famous singer Dario Moreno who has been known as Frank Sinatra of Izmir. If you happen to visit Izmir one day, it is strongly recommended to use the lift in order to see a splendid view of Izmir bay.

Content Author   : Mahmut ÖKÇESIZ
Page Editor           : Mustafa Gökhan BULUT
Published              : 11 October 2014