Places of interest The city of Aydın has a number of antique ruins and Ottoman period mosques. The province's countryside and scenery include a stretch of the Aegean coast and a number of historic sites including: Didim coastal resort with large temple of Apollo and nearby Miletus ruins of an Ancient Greek city Ilyas Bey Complex, a cultural heritage of Turkey built in 1403 Kuşadası coastal resort, near to the Dilek Peninsula - Büyük Menderes Delta National Park Kirazli - a traditional Turkish village with old stone houses Alinda - ancient ruins Harpasa - ancient city in Nazilli and Arpaz Castle, also known as Arpaz Beyler Mansion. Alabanda - ancient ruins Magnesia ad Maeandrum - ancient ruins, on the Ortaklar-Söke road in Germencik Nysa - another ruined Carian city, in Sultanhisar Aphrodisias - more ancient ruins, including tombs, friezes and sculpture, in Karacasu Priene - another ruin, near Söke Mycale Mountains Culture Aydın is the home of the Zeybek folk art. This involves a special type of war dance which is performed in a ring to resemble birds. The Zeybek is performed to sounds of the Kiteli and other Turkish folk instruments. The folk songs of Aydın are famously short, indeed a popular saying in the Aegean region to get someone to stop talking, is Keep it short, make it an Aydın tune. The cuisine features the typical Turkish pastries, köfte and kebab. Transport Roads Izmir to Aydın motorway, Motorway O-31, was built in the 1990s and is the city's main thoroughfare. An extension of this motorway to Denizli is currently under construction, with longer-term plans to extend it to Antalya. Railway There is a passenger train service passing through Aydın, connecting the city to Izmir and Denizli. This passenger train runs five trains per day. Notable people Mustafa Kemal Atatürk - the Republic of Turkey founder and the first President of Turkey Atçalı Kel Mehmet Efe, folk hero, leader of a public revolt during the decline of the Ottoman Empire Yörük Ali Efe, hero of the Turkish War of Independence Demirci Mehmet Efe, the hero for Kuva-yi Milliye and Turkish War of Independence Ali Rıza Efendi, the Ataturk's father Makbule Atadan, the Ataturk's sister Adnan Menderes, Turkish Prime Minister (1950-1960) Gökhan Kırdar, musician, composer and producer Fatih Portakal, journalist Ümit Aktan, TV speaker Şebnem Bursalı, journalist Aydın Menderes, politician and Adnan Menderes's son Yüksel Yalova, politician Melike Yalova, actress