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| Eskisehir | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eskişehir |
| Native name | Eskişehir |
| Native name lang | tr |
| Settlement type | Metropolitan municipality |
| Coordinates | 39°46′N 30°31′E |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Turkey |
| Subdivision type1 | Region |
| Subdivision name1 | Central Anatolia Region |
| Subdivision type2 | Province |
| Subdivision name2 | Eskişehir Province |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | Ancient Phrygian period |
| Area total km2 | 2,189 |
| Elevation m | 790 |
| Population total | 887,475 |
| Population as of | 2022 |
| Timezone1 | TRT |
| Utc offset1 | +3 |
| Postal code | 26xxx |
| Area code | 222 |
Eskisehir
Eskişehir is a major city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey and the administrative center of Eskişehir Province. Positioned on the fertile plain of the Porsuk River, the city is a hub for higher education, industry and cultural life, linking historic Anatolian routes such as the Silk Road and modern transport corridors like the Ankara–Istanbul high-speed railway. Eskişehir combines classical and contemporary urban fabric shaped by successive civilizations including the Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottoman Empire.
The city's name derives from Turkish roots meaning "old city", reflecting continuity from ancient settlements documented by classical authors such as Strabo and Herodotus. Ottoman cadastral records, Evliya Çelebi's travelogue, and 19th-century cartographers such as Alexander von Humboldt contributed to the modern toponymic record. Archaeological site names around the province—Seyitgazi, Hanönü, Alpu—preserve pre-Turkic and Turkic layers of naming attested in inscriptions analyzed by scholars associated with institutions like Turkish Historical Society.
Settlement in the Eskişehir region dates to the Phrygians and is connected to sites such as Gordion; subsequent phases include incorporation into the Achaemenid Empire, conquest by Alexander the Great, and integration into the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire. The arrival of Turkic peoples after the Battle of Manzikert brought Seljuk influence and later Ottoman administration after campaigns by commanders connected to Sultan Bayezid I and Mehmed the Conqueror. The 19th century saw modernization under Tanzimat-era reforms promoted by Ottoman ministries and urban engineers influenced by French and British experts. During the Turkish War of Independence, the area was affected by operations linked to commanders like Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and negotiations culminating in the Treaty of Lausanne.
Located on the Anatolian plateau, Eskişehir lies in the Porsuk River valley between the İnönü and Mihalıççık districts. The topography features river terraces, alluvial plains and nearby karstic formations such as those in Sakarya River basin. Its climate is classified as cold semi-arid bordering humid continental, influenced by elevation and continentality; seasonal patterns resemble those recorded in Ankara and Bursa with cold winters, warm summers, and variable precipitation influenced by Black Sea and Mediterranean air masses.
The city's population grew markedly in the 20th and 21st centuries due to urban migration and university expansion. Diverse communities historically included Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Jewish and Muslim populations shaped by 19th-century millet structures and 20th-century population exchanges such as the 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Contemporary demographics reflect students and professionals from throughout Anatolia and diaspora returnees, with sociological research conducted by Anadolu University and Eskişehir Osmangazi University informing municipal planning.
Eskişehir hosts a mixed industrial base emphasizing mechanical manufacturing, rail vehicle production, ceramics, and aeronautics. Major industrial players and institutions include companies linked to the Turkish Aerospace Industries supply chain, rolling stock manufacturers collaborating with Siemens and Alstom for high-speed rail projects, and research partnerships with Anadolu University. Traditional crafts such as meerschaum carving from nearby deposits and ceramics from Kütahya-influenced workshops coexist with service sectors driven by tourism, education, and municipal initiatives originating in Ministry of Industry and Technology frameworks.
Eskişehir's cultural life is anchored by institutions such as Anadolu University, one of the world's largest by enrollment, and Eskişehir Osmangazi University, which host research centers and festivals. The city has vibrant performing arts scenes linked to the State Opera and Ballet and municipal theaters, galleries exhibiting works referencing figures like Orhan Pamuk in contemporary Turkish literature, and museums curated by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Annual events include film and music festivals that attract participants connected to Istanbul Film Festival networks and international university exchange programs affiliated with Erasmus+.
Eskişehir is a transport node on the Ankara–Istanbul high-speed railway with connections to İstanbul, Ankara and regional lines; the city's Eskişehir Airport offers domestic flights integrated with national carriers such as Turkish Airlines. Urban transit features the Porsuk River waterways, tram systems modeled on European light rail projects, and highway links to the TEM Motorway and D-200 corridor. Infrastructure projects have received funding and technical input via collaborations with entities like the European Investment Bank and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
Notable sites include restored historic quarters with Ottoman-era houses and mansions near the Odunpazarı Modern Museum and folk architecture showcased at the Kurşunlu Mosque and Complex; archaeological and open-air attractions relate to Gordion and regional Phrygian tumuli. Recreational areas along the Porsuk River, public parks, and contemporary museums such as the Odunpazarı Modern Museum host collections featuring Turkish and international artists. Other landmarks comprise industrial heritage sites converted into cultural spaces, traditional bazaars, and nearby natural formations popular for outdoor activities documented by travel guides and UNESCO-related inventories.
Category:Cities in Turkey Category:Eskişehir Province