Renewed phaetons very popular among tourists

İZMİR - Anadolu Agency

Haflinger horses were brought from Austria for the modern phaetons in İzmir. AA photo

Phaetons, one of the symbols of İzmir, were renewed last year and given a modern look, and the carriages have become very popular among cruise tourists in the city. Haflinger horses were brought from Austria for the phaetons and the carriage model was named the Victoria Classic. Now the municipality plans to put more phaetons into service in the city.

The modern phaetons, which were put into service last year in July, have been used by some 2,500 tourists since then. Speaking about the issue, veterinary doctor Oya Oral said the phaetons were serving between Gündoğdu Square and Konak Pier, and a new station had been opened at Alsancak Port. “Tourists show great interest in the phaetons. They warmly welcome it because this culture exists abroad, too. We have a new station at the İzmir port and provide direct service to tourists arriving at the port,” she said.

Oral said 36 Austrian-origin horses had been brought for the phaetons, and the Victoria Classic model carriages had been constructed in Manisa’s Akhisar district.

“Two of the horses were pregnant, and we did not know it when we bought them. They gave birth in February and now [the foals] are being trained for phaetons. We are doing our best for the horses. We have 12 phaetons and a staff of 35 people is serving. The horses work seven hours a day in two shifts. The phaeton drivers also take English lessons for tourists.”