Eskisehir Attractions
Northwestern central Anatolia
Eskisehir lies at the western end of the Eskisehir Ovasi, nestling in the large basin which forms the upper Porsuk Çayi valley, below the southernmost chain of Pontic mountains. The town has modern industries, first developed in the 19th century, including Turkey's largest sugar factory and a locomotive engineering plant, This industrial headstart in pre-Republic days has contributed greatly to Eskisehir's prosperity. There are thermal baths in the southern part of the town.
History
Eskisehir is an Ottoman creation. Its predecessor, ancient Dorylaion, occupied a hill about 3km/2mi north of the present town. Just about the only relic of the ancient city is the name Eskisehir itself, meaning "old town", such few places of interest as there are today being from a much later period. Recent research suggests that Dorylaion was founded by the Phrygians in about 700 B.C.). Despite extensive excavation of the citadel hill (Sar Üyük/Sehir Hüyük; 3km/2mi northeast of the railroad station), virtually nothing has been found. The town is known to have been an important frontier fortress in Byzantine times, several fierce battles being fought in the vicinity. Eventually destroyed and abandoned, Dorylaion was rebuilt on a new site by Manuel I Comnenus (1143-80).
Eskisehir lies at the western end of the Eskisehir Ovasi, nestling in the large basin which forms the upper Porsuk Çayi valley, below the southernmost chain of Pontic mountains. The town has modern industries, first developed in the 19th century, including Turkey's largest sugar factory and a locomotive engineering plant, This industrial headstart in pre-Republic days has contributed greatly to Eskisehir's prosperity. There are thermal baths in the southern part of the town.
History
Eskisehir is an Ottoman creation. Its predecessor, ancient Dorylaion, occupied a hill about 3km/2mi north of the present town. Just about the only relic of the ancient city is the name Eskisehir itself, meaning "old town", such few places of interest as there are today being from a much later period. Recent research suggests that Dorylaion was founded by the Phrygians in about 700 B.C.). Despite extensive excavation of the citadel hill (Sar Üyük/Sehir Hüyük; 3km/2mi northeast of the railroad station), virtually nothing has been found. The town is known to have been an important frontier fortress in Byzantine times, several fierce battles being fought in the vicinity. Eventually destroyed and abandoned, Dorylaion was rebuilt on a new site by Manuel I Comnenus (1143-80).
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Pessinus
Little remains of the ancient city of Pessinus. Visitors will only see scattered remnants of a theatre, an acropolis, and an odeion, among other structures.
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Seyitgazi, Turkey
(Near Eskisehir)
At Seyitgazi tourists will find the remains of a former Dervish convent and the mausoleum of Seyit Gazi.
Alaeddin Camii
The Alaeddin Camii in Eskisehir, a Seljuk mosque, is thought to have been endowed by the Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad in 1263.
Inonu, Turkey
(Near Eskisehir)
The little town of Inönü, about 36km/22mi west of Eskisehir, has a 14th century mosque. Not far from the town are the Tutluca Tepe cave dwellings. The Inönü family - Ismet Inönü was Atatürk's successor as Turkish president - take their name from here.
Karaca Sehir (Dorylaion)
Between 1143 and 1180, after "old" Dorylaion had been abandoned, presumably destroyed in battles between the Seljuks and Byzantium, the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Comnenus built a new town about 6km/4mi further to the southwest. Taken by the Ottomans in 1400 and renamed Karaca Hisar, it was sacked by the Mongols in 1402. Afterwards Karaca Hisar became increasingly deserted, the inhabitants dispersing into the surrounding villages. It was one of these villages which grew to become Eskisehir.
Kursunlu Külliye
The Kursunlu Külliye, located opposite the Ak Cami in the southern part of Eskisehir, is attributed to the celebrated Ottoman architect Sinan. In addition to an early Ottoman "lead mosque" the complex comprises the Kursunlu Medrese, a kitchen for the poor and a caravanserai.
Mihallicik, Turkey
(Near Eskisehir)
The district town of Mihalliçik is said to contain the tomb of the Karamanid poet Yunus Emre (1249-1322).
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