Eskişehir

Eskişehir is a major city located in northwestern Turkey. It serves as the capital of the Eskişehir Province. The name translates literally from Turkish as "Old City."

The city sits at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level. It is positioned on the banks of the Porsuk River. This river eventually flows into the larger Sakarya River. The Porsuk Dam, located near the border of Eskişehir and Kütahya, controls the water flow. The city overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley and sits near natural hot sulphur springs.

The climate in Eskişehir is classified as cold semi-arid. This is known as the BSk classification under the Köppen system. It is also described as a temperate continental climate. This means the city experiences cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. Rainfall occurs mostly during the spring and autumn months. However, precipitation can be observed throughout the entire year. Because of the high altitude and dry summers, nightly temperatures remain cool during the summer months.

Eskişehir has a history that stretches back thousands of years. The Phrygians founded the area around 1000 BC. The modern city is located about one mile from the ancient Phrygian city of Dorylaeum. In the 4th century, the settlement moved 10 km northeast from Karacahisar to Şehirhöyük. After Constantine the Great legalized Christianity, several bishops held office in Dorylaeum. During the 11th century, the region produced rich grain harvests. The nearby rivers also provided a great source of fish.

Conflict shaped the city during the medieval period. The Seljuks conquered the city from the Byzantine Empire. In 1097, the Battle of Dorylaeum took place during the First Crusade. During this battle, Crusaders defeated the Seljuk sultan Kilij Arslan I. The city later fell to the Seljuks in the 13th century. Much later, Eskişehir was part of the Hüdavendigâr vilayet from 1867 to 1922. In 1921, the Greek Army captured the city. Most of the modern city was rebuilt after the Turkish War of Independence.

Today, Eskişehir is a significant center for education and industry. It is widely known as a university town. The city houses three major institutions: Anadolu University, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, and Eskişehir Technical University.

Anadolu University began offering open university courses via TV broadcasts in the 1980s. This allowed thousands of students to access higher education from home. Eskişehir Technical University is unique as the first university globally to manage airports.

The economy is diverse and relies on both traditional and modern sectors. Historically, the city depended on flour milling and brickyards. It was also a major site for meerschaum mining. This soft stone is used to produce high-quality meerschaum pipes. In 1894, the city expanded through the building of railway workshops.

In 1961, the TÜLOMSAŞ factory produced Devrim, the first Turkish automobile. That same year, the factory also built the Karakurt steam locomotive. The city now produces trucks, fighter aircraft engines, and home appliances. Major brands like Arçelik and Ülker have a presence here.

Culture and tourism are vital to the city's identity. In 2013, it was named the UNESCO Capital of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Many museums exist to showcase local history and art. These include the Aviation Museum, the Meerschaum Museum, and the Museum of Modern Glass Art.

The streets of Odunpazarı offer a look at historic architecture.

The city also has a significant population of Turkic Crimean Tatars. This diverse background helps support various metalworking and cultural industries.