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The Legends and the Ancient Stories

You can feel the aesthetics of nature with mythological stories in Kaz Mountain National Park (Kaz Dağı Milli Parkı) with its magnificent views, relaxing forests and many hot springs.

In mythology, it is believed that the world's first beauty contest between Aphrodite, Hera and Athena was held in Kaz Mountains (Kaz Dağları). According to the story, when the gods gathered for the wedding of Thetis and Peleus; Eris, who was not invited to the wedding, throws a golden apple where Athena, Hera and Aphrodite were "for the fairest" was written on the apple. The argument of "I am the most beautiful" begins between the three goddesses. Zeus orders Paris on Mount Ida (Kaz Dağları) to be assigned as the arbitrator in the selection of the fairest. Goddesses boast of their beauty in front of Paris and promise him gifts. Paris gives the golden apple to Aphrodite and the rest is the Trojan War.

Myth of Aeneas: Aeneas is a Trojan prince descending from the Goddess Aphrodite.  He is the second biggest hero in the Trojan War following Hector. The duty bestowed upon Aeneas is to leave Troy, find and build a new home and sustain the Trojan ancestry in the new lands for centuries. Aeneas escapes from the great Trojan fire under the protection of his mother Aphrodite; his father Anchises on his shoulders, his son Ascanius holding his hand and the survived Trojans following him. He arrives at Antandros which lies on the skirts of Mount Ida. They are ready to search for a new home for themselves under the leadership of Aeneas.