Balıkesir is the capital city of Balıkesir Province. Balıkesir is in the Marmara region of Turkey and has a population of 247.072 inhabitants. Old name is Karesi. At near Balıkesir was the Roman town of Hadrianutherae, founded, as its name commemorates, by the emperor Hadrian. During Byzantine ownership the small town was known as Palaeokastron. The remains of the ancient Makestos Bridge and castles are found in the surroundings. Byzantine dynasty had used this castle as vacation area and for hunting sport. Also, when Turkmens had came from Middle Asia to Mysia, they called there Balak Hisar because of the remains of castle. Balıkesir's former name was...more »