Ayvalik was a center of the Greek-Turkish population exchange of 1923, and still shows the scars. Many old Greek homes still stand as derelicts, while others have been refurbished as holiday homes by Turkish citizens. They illustrate traditions of domestic architecture . Nearby is a ruined Greek Orthodox church, its fresco icons defaced, the eyes dug out. Still, its beautiful location opposite Lesbos and near Assos and Pergamum make it an attractive holiday place.