📖 About Eskişehir

Eskişehir (meaning "Old City" in Turkish) is a vibrant university town in northwestern Turkey, home to approximately 900,000 residents. Known as Turkey's most livable city, Eskişehir has earned recognition for its pedestrian-friendly streets, clean environment, cultural venues, and youthful energy. Two major universities—Anadolu University and Osmangazi University—give the city a student population of over 100,000, creating a dynamic, progressive atmosphere.

The Porsuk River flows through the city center, lined with cafes, restaurants, and walking paths that have earned Eskişehir comparisons to European riverside cities. Gondola rides along the river have become a beloved local tradition, and the waterfront development represents successful urban renewal. The city's tram system, pedestrian zones, and bicycle infrastructure further enhance quality of life.

Beyond its modern character, Eskişehir has deep historical roots and is famous for meerschaum (sepiolite), a white mineral used to craft distinctive pipes and decorative objects. The city also houses Turkey's major aerospace and defense industries, balancing high-tech manufacturing with cultural and educational excellence.

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💼 Economy & Culture

Eskişehir's economy combines education, industry, and services. Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and other defense/aerospace companies provide high-skilled employment. The universities drive research, innovation, and consumer spending. Meerschaum craftsmanship continues as both heritage industry and tourist attraction. Services, retail, and hospitality serve the large student and visitor populations.

The culture of Eskişehir is distinctively progressive and youthful. University students shape nightlife, arts scenes, and political discourse. The city hosts numerous festivals, from jazz to opera to film. Cafes and bars stay open late, creating a vibrant social scene unusual in conservative Anatolia. Despite modernization, traditional crafts and customs persist—meerschaum carving, local cuisine, and folk music connect contemporary Eskişehir to its past.

📜 History

The Eskişehir region has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, with Phrygian settlements predating the current city. The Phrygian capital Gordion lies nearby, famous for the legend of the Gordian Knot cut by Alexander the Great. Under various empires—Persian, Roman, Byzantine—the area remained strategically important along routes crossing Anatolia.

The Seljuk Turks captured the region in the 11th century, and Ottoman rule brought development as a trade and crafts center, particularly for meerschaum. Modern Eskişehir emerged from the Turkish War of Independence; Atatürk established the Turkish Air Force here. The city's transformation into a model of urban development accelerated under dynamic mayors in the 2000s, creating the pedestrian-friendly, culturally rich city that draws visitors and students today.