Happy TravellerWelcome to Uşak, a city located in the interior part of the Aegean Region of Turkey. With a population of 500,000 (2016 census), Uşak is the capital of Uşak Province and is situated 210 km (130 mi) from İzmir, the region’s principal metropolitan center and port city. Uşak’s location at the crossroads of the Central Anatolian plateau and the coastal Aegean Region, and its climate and agricultural production incorporating elements of both of these zones, have contributed to its strong industrial base. In fact, Uşak was the first city in Turkey to have an urban electricity network, and the first city where a collective labor relations agreement was signed, during the Ottoman era, between leather industry employees and workers. Today, the tradition of industriousness continues around two industrial zones.
History buffs will appreciate Uşak’s rich past. The region was ruled by the Phrygians in the eastern portion and the Lydians in the west during the seventh century BC. The Karun Treasure, discovered by clandestine treasure hunters in Uşak in 1965, gives an indication of the high degree of civilization attained by these Anatolian states. The region of Lydia was later taken over by the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC and by Alexander the Great and his successors as of the 4th century. Thereafter, Uşak was ruled successively by the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuks, the Germiyanids and finally the Ottoman Empire (as of 1429).
Uşak’s economic history is also fascinating. At least since the 17th century, there was trade between Uşak and the Dutch republic as reflected in the rug shown thrown over the bannister in Vermeer’s painting The Procuress. The rug was probably produced in Uşak, covers a third of the painting and shows medallions and leaves. In the early 20th century, mercury was discovered in Uşak. The town also manufactured carpet. Among other district centers in Uşak Province, Banaz is the largest and is notable for its varied agricultural production as well as for its forests, while Ulubeys canyon is a natural site attracting many visitors.
Uşak has a Mediterranean (Köppen: Csa) or an oceanic climate (Trewartha: Doak), with cool, wet, regularly snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Visitors can explore the city’s rich cultural heritage by visiting the Uşak Museum of Archaeology, which houses a collection of artifacts from the region’s ancient civilizations.
No visit to Uşak is complete without experiencing its famous carpets. In pre-industrial times, Uşak was already a major center of production and export, particularly of Ushak carpets. Ushak carpets are also called Holbein carpets in reference to the 16th century painter Hans Holbein the Younger who depicted them in minute detail in his paintings, reflecting their popularity in European markets. Although Uşak’s carpet patterns have evolved since then, large-scale weaving still continues and the name of the city still has an important presence in the market for carpets, both hand-woven and industrial. On the other hand, the district of Eşme, which is also in Uşak Province, is famous for its kilims.
Uşak is also twinned with Offenbach in Germany, Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan, Besni in Turkey, and Charleroi in Belgium. Come and discover the many treasures of Uşak, a city that combines a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and mouthwatering local cuisine.
