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The history of Eskişehir city from prehistoric times until the Republic

اسکی معروف قدیمی

The word Eskişehir in Turkish means “old city.” It is not surprising that a city with this name has a long history spanning 4000 years.

The history of Eskişehir is not limited to the modern period only, but extends to prehistoric times, giving the ancient city a distinctive historical depth.

old picture of Eskisehir

Eskişehir BC

Researchers assume that Eskişehir experienced its first human life 4,000 years ago with some migratory tribes within the present city limits.

The basic shape of Eskişehir first began to take shape in 1460 BC. Where the Hittites established a colony in the region, and the Phrygians came in 700 BC and founded the city of  Dorylaeum, which was subject to the control of the Romans in the coming years.

Eskisehir history is famous

The history of Eskişehir in the Byzantine era

During the Byzantine era, three important settlements appeared around the city of Dorylaeum, which is the settlement of Dorelayne, 3 km from the city and the thermal springs, which is known today as “HAMAMÖNÜ”, while the third settlement was located 11 km northwest of the city and is currently called Karacahisar.

Excavations and Byzantine coins found in the castle and the surrounding area indicate that it was inhabited between the seventh and eleventh centuries AD.

Eskisehir in the Byzantine era

History of Eskişehir in the era of the Seljuks

The city was named during the Seljuk era Sultannunu and it was conquered on 1079 AD and the city developed much in terms of architecture.

Many ancient geographers described Eskişehir as one of the most beautiful cities in Anatolia as its nature inspired many poets, the most important of which was the Turkish poet Yunus Emre .

old photo of Eskisehir

Eskişehir under the rule of the Ottoman Caliphate

The city took its current name when the Muslim Turks settled in the area. Looking at the ruins of the ancient city, they called the area “Old City” which means “Eskişehir” in Turkish. 

Osman Ghazi, founder of the Ottoman Empire, opened the most important Byzantine castle, the Karaja fortress, in Eskişehir in 1288 AD.

In Eskişehir, many important figures appeared in the Ottoman period, most notably the poet Yunus Emre, who was inspired by the beauty of the city to compose wonderful poems in the Turkish language.

Read also:  10 Poems of the best Yunus Emre poetry

After the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878, the city became overcrowded and developed with immigrants. The real development period of Eskisehir was after the construction of the city railway, which ran from Istanbul to the cities of the Ottoman Caliphate.

In the era of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the Hejaz Railway train that starts Istanbul and connects all parts of the Ottoman Empire to each other used to pass through Eskişehir.

The city began to develop significantly in that period due to the train and trade passing through it, to acquire a strategic location, as Eskisehir became an intersection point for the railways coming from west to east and south.

A train repair and maintenance station has been built in Eskişehir, which greatly increases its importance.

History of eskisehir

Eskisehir during the War of Independence

The War of Independence marks a watershed moment in the history of Eskişehir, as after the defeat of the Ottoman Caliphate in World War I, Eskişehir fell under Greek occupation in 1921.

Gazi Mustafa Kemal began the War of Independence, and the Turkish army, along with the revolutionaries, launched a massive attack on the city on the twenty-sixth of August 1922, and on the second of September of the same year the city was completely liberated from the Greek occupation.

⚔️ The Liberation of Eskişehir

War of Independence Timeline: 1921-1922

Click on the timeline events to explore each step

🏴
1921
🏴 Greek Occupation Begins
After the defeat of the Ottoman Caliphate in World War I, Eskişehir fell under Greek occupation.
Dark Period: The city suffered under foreign occupation as part of the broader Greek invasion of Anatolia following WWI. This marked a critical moment that would spark the Turkish War of Independence.
⚔️
August 26, 1922
⚔️ The Great Offensive Begins
Gazi Mustafa Kemal launches a massive attack. The Turkish army and revolutionaries begin the liberation campaign.
The Turning Point: Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish army launched a coordinated massive offensive to reclaim Eskişehir. This was part of the greater offensive that would ultimately lead to Turkish independence.
🎉
September 2, 1922
🎉 Complete Liberation!
After just one week of fighting, Eskişehir was completely liberated from Greek occupation.
Victory Achieved: The city was finally free! However, the Greek withdrawal left devastating destruction behind. The Turkish forces had successfully liberated this strategic city, marking a crucial victory in the War of Independence.
🔥
September 1922
🔥 The Cost of Freedom
During their withdrawal, the Greek forces ravaged the city, causing massive destruction.
The Devastating Toll:
250 People Killed
2,000 Khans Burned
2,000 Shops Destroyed
22 Hotels Burned
5 Mosques Destroyed
10 Schools Burned
13,000 Village Khans
150,000m² Forest Destroyed

Despite this devastation, the people of Eskişehir rebuilt their city, which today stands as a vibrant modern metropolis – a testament to their resilience.

During the Greek withdrawal, the city was ravaged as the Greeks killed 250 people and burned 2 thousand khans, 22 hotels and lodges, 2 thousand shops, 5 baths, 4 factories, 5 mosques and 10 schools in the city center.

In the villages, 13,000 Khans and 2,000 cattle were burned. 150,000 square meters of forest has been reduced to ashes.

Eskisehir in the War of Independence

Eskisehir in the era of the Republic

After the proclamation of the Republic, when the Sanjaks and the states became provinces, Eskisehir became a province in 1923.


In 1926, Eskisehir consisted of three regions, Sivri Hesar, Mihaliçek and Sitjazi. In 1957 the number of Eskisehir regions increased to 6.

Eskisehir  in the era of the Republic

When was the city of Eskişehir created

Sources indicate that the city of Eskişehir was established 4000 years ago.

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