KUTAHYA, TURKEY

Kütahya is a small province in the midst of hill country, clustering about the walls of an impressive hilltop fortress. It is the hometown of the world famous Yagolbedir Carpets, and Kütahya tiles which you can see everywhere in the country. But the best and the cheapest are in Kütahya, where you may visit the workshops and see these tiles produced with designs from the 16th- and 17th-centuries. They are especially famous for their cobalt blue on a milky white background. The old wood and stucco houses of Kütahya are picturesque. The Hungarian House (Kossouth Museum) and those on the Germian Street are the most interesting ones. Kütahya is a thermal springs center with Harlek-lilca, Muratdagi-Gediz and Eynal-Simav, among the most famous .

To the southwest of Kütahya an ancient city awaits you for an eccentric archaeological excursion, Cavdarhisar (Aizanoi) has one of the best preserved Roman temples in Anatolia; the Temple of Jupiter. Dating back to the time of Hadrian, it was built for the worship of Zeus and also the Anatolian fertility goddess Kybele. A Byzantine fortress, the Seljuk Hidirilk Mosque and Balikil Bath and the Ottoman Bedesten, Saadettin Mosque, Sengui Bath are just some of the important historical remains in Kütahya.

At Murat Mountain there are camping facilities including hot springs in the midst of delightful scenery.