PANIONION is opposite the Island of Samos, at the northern foot of Mount Mykale (Mount Samson), where the famous Battle of Mykale between the Ancient Greeks and Persians took place. Its ruins are at the western foot of the Automatic Hill within the borders of today's Güzelçamlı. Ionians, B.C. In 700, they established a federation of 12 city-states. The delegates of this federation gathered at certain times in Güzelçamlı, known as "Panionion", and made important decisions to increase the future, power and influence of the federation. In 1957-58, archaeologist Gerhard Kleiner, a professor at the University of Frankfurt, unearthed an 11-step ancient theater-shaped structure carved into the outer surface of the rock during some excavations he carried out. Kleiner proved that this was the center of the Panionion and that there was an altar dedicated to Poseidon Helikonios. It is stated that the Panionion festivals were celebrated here during the Ionian period.

The Ionians, who lived in the lands between today's Foça and Didim, created the most advanced civilization of their time and created Phokia (Foça), Ephesus (Selçuk, Ephesus), Klazomenea (Near Urla), Priene (Güllübahçe), Erythrai (Çeşme Ildırı), Myus (Avşar Village), Labedos. They founded 12 important city-states consisting of (Doğanbey), Miletos (Balat Village), Teos (Seferihisar), Samos (Sasam Island), Kolophon (Değirmendere), Chios (Chios Island). Later, today's Izmir joined this federation under the name Symirna. This union later continued its existence only religiously. It started to be organized in Panionion and became identified with a regular festival and games (Panionia Festival or Panegyris), whose ongoing reflection today is the Olympic Games. The beginning of this festival is probably concurrent with the establishment of the first temple here (8th century BC).

Herodotus, known as the father of history, said the following about this region: “The most beautiful place above the earth and under the sky, where the sun and the sea, history and nature meet: Panionion (Güzelçamlı).

Panionion, a unique historical wonder filled with the magic of ancient civilizations, is visited by thousands of national and international tourists every year and experiences the region through the eyes of Herodotus.