24.12.2023
5 Dakika
Kütahya, celebrated for its Çini (tiles), the "flowers blooming in the fire," and acknowledged by UNESCO as a creative city of crafts and folk arts, stands out as one of Türkiye’s most enchanting cities. Beyond its historical and cultural treasures, Kütahya also offers visitors unique natural beauties thanks to its lush green plateaus, subterranean and surface waters, and invigorating thermal springs. In this article, we will unveil 7 noteworthy destinations in Kütahya you should add to your travel itinerary for refreshing experiences in any aspect.
The Ancient City of Aizanoi, the principal settlement of the Aizanitis people living under Ancient Phrygian rule, captivates with its well-preserved Temple of Zeus. The ancient theater and stadium are also among the structures worth exploring, and other ruins that can be found in the city include the Meter Steunene Sanctuary, the Portico Street, a single-arched water dam, waterways, and monumental gates. The Macellum, an organized marketplace in which ceiling prices were determined in ancient times, has an important place in the history of economics. The Aizanoi Archaeological Site, a contemporary of ancient cities such as Ephesus, Pergamon, and Side, promises an unforgettable experience in Kütahya.
This 18th century Turkish house, where Lajos Kossuth, a lawyer and one of the leaders of the Hungarian freedom struggle in 1850, was hosted with his family, now welcomes visitors as a museum reflecting the essence of this historic period, and the life of this important historical figure. In addition to Kossuth's personal belongings, the museum also exhibits daily life objects from traditional Kütahya houses. In addition to introducing a historical figure, the embodies Turkish hospitality, making it a must-see in Kütahya.
Vakıf Çamlığı, which is home to a rich ecosystem under the canopy of juniper, Türkiye oak, aspen, willow, and linden trees alongside the black pine variety unique to the region, offers a respite with abundant oxygen during your trip to Kütahya. If you want to continue your journey through the historical and cultural tapestry of Kütahya by taking a leisurely nature walk, Vakıf Çamlığı Nature Reserve is definitely the serene pause you are looking for.
Housed in a 14th-century madrasa building, Kütahya Museum showcases artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the Ottoman Period. In addition to fossils from the Late Miocene Period, pottery from various prehistoric eras, Phrygian and Achaemenid artifacts, and toys from the Roman Empire period are among the relics you can see in the museum. One of the most remarkable artifacts in the museum is the Amazon Sarcophagus found in the Aizonai Ancient City, dating back to 160 AD.
The museum, where you can see the rarest examples of Kütahya’s "flowers blooming in the fire", the famous tiles produced by the city locals for centuries, is located in the imaret section of Germiyan Beyi Yakup II's 14th-century complex. In this museum, also known as Gökşadırvan (Heavenly Shadirvan) due to the monolithic marble fountain inside, you can see elegant tile samples produced over the centuries in Kütahya, which is listed among the creative cities in terms of crafts and folk arts by UNESCO.
Kütahya Castle, situated 3 kilometers from the city center, was built on a rocky cliff during the Byzantine Empire in the 8th century AD. The castle, which was also used by the Seljuk Empire, Germiyanids, and the Ottoman Empire, and underwent repairs during these periods, has endured hundreds of years on the hill from which it shelters and protects the region. A view of Kütahya intertwined with nature awaits you in the castle, which also hosts historical buildings from various periods within its walls.
