From ancient Phrygian roots to Turkey's modern industrial and educational powerhouse
In short: Eskişehir, a city whose name literally translates to Old City, is far from a relic. Nestled on the banks of the Porsuk River, this Turkish hub balances a deep history of meerschaum mining and Phrygian artifacts with a vibrant identity as a pioneering center for aviation, rail, and higher education.
Founded by the Phrygians around 1000 BC, the site of Eskişehir has evolved through centuries of shifting empires. Originally situated near the ancient city of Dorylaeum, the settlement moved northeast in the 4th century. By the 11th century, it was a prosperous Byzantine center known for grain harvests and rich river life, before becoming a strategic site during the First Crusade in 1097. Today, the city retains echoes of this past through its archaeological museum and the nearby ruins of Dorylaeum.
The modern city was largely rebuilt following the Turkish War of Independence, which concluded in 1923. Its industrial trajectory shifted dramatically in 1894 with the construction of railway workshops for the Berlin–Baghdad line. This foundation paved the way for a legacy of innovation, including the 1961 production of Devrim, the first Turkish automobile, and Karakurt, the nation's first steam-powered locomotive. The city also served as a critical command center for NATO's Tactical Air Force during the Cold War.
Today, Eskişehir is defined by its role as a university town, hosting three major institutions including Anadolu University, which pioneered open-access education via television in the 1980s. The city's economy is diverse, spanning from the production of home appliances and fighter aircraft engines to the processing of meerschaum stone. With a population of over 920,000, it remains a cultural nexus, having been named the Cultural Capital of the Turkish World in 2013, and continues to serve as a vital link in Turkey's high-speed rail network.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Eskişehir
- Also: Wikidata — Eskişehir · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Eskişehir Province · CC0
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