Eskişehir is a vibrant university city in western Anatolia, known as Turkey's "student capital" and the birthplace of meerschaum carving. The Porsuk River winds through the city centre past Venetian-style canals, gondola rides, and colourful bridges. The historic Odunpazarı district preserves beautifully restored Ottoman timber houses and is on Turkey's tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. Eskişehir hosts two major universities — Anadolu University and Eskişehir Technical University — whose combined enrolment of over 100,000 students gives the city a youthful, progressive energy unusual for inner Anatolia.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Eskişehir.
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1
Phrygian Kingdom establishes Yazılıkaya (Midas City) as a major cult and administrative centre
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2
Roman Dorylaion established at Şarhöyük as a provincial fortified city
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3
First Battle of Dorylaion — Crusaders defeat Kilij Arslan I's Seljuk forces near the city
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4
Seljuk Sultanate of Rum consolidates control; city becomes part of the Germiyanid beylik under Mongol pressure
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5
Ottoman period peak — Odunpazarı district built; artisan guilds (oduncular = woodsellers) give the district its name
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6
Turkish War of Independence — Eskişehir changes hands between nationalist and Greek forces; Atatürk visits
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7
Anadolu University (originally Eskişehir Academy of Economics and Commerce) founded — transforming the city's character
Historical sites
Places where Eskişehir's past comes alive.
Phrygian, 1200–700 BC
Phrygian Valley
Roman/Byzantine, 200 BC–1071 AD
Ancient Dorylaion
Ottoman, 15th–19th century
Odunpazarı District
Ottoman, 16th century