THE LEGEND ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY

According to a legend, a widow potter lived in this environment thousands of years ago. Her bowls and pots were very strong and beautiful therefore the other potters could not sell their bowls and pots. The potters who were in a real hard position decided to follow her and find out where she got her potters clay because they were sure that her success laid in the potters clay she was using. They secretly followed her one day. They found out that she got it from a small mountain where Kutahya is located (this clay is kaolin type clay that is used in clay production). All the potters started getting their clay from this area. After this, the art of pottery improved very fast and a new city was established and it was named SEREMORUM which means city of ceramics. The name of the city then was changed to KOTIOM and and then to KUTOHYA.

THE ART OF TILE

Besides being the symbol of the city that introduces it to the whole world, 'Tile' is a means of life besides being an important art in Kutahya. The ceramic production that started by the Phrygians showed a continuous development until the end of the Byzantian Period. Kutahya stayed as the buffer zone between the Seljuks and Byzantians for over 100 years. During this period the effects of both Seljuks and Byzantians were reflected in the art of tile. After this, during the beylic period Ottoman effects were seen in Kutahya.Kutahya tiles which are included in the export products are continuously improving as they are enriched in design and color.The tile products from 30 different size, large and small, work shops decorate many art works in Turkey and in the world.The raw materials used in tile work are provided from Kutahya and neighboring cities. Those raw materials are classified in two categories as plastic and non-plastic. Three different blends are prepared by blending in certain proportions: ''Turner'', ''Casting'' and ''Press''.

THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

The city of Kutahya is located in the Inner West Anatolian section, in the east of the Aegean Region.The complete city is within the boundaries of the Aegean Region. On the north and northwest Bursa, on the northeast Bilecik, on the east Eskişehir, on the southwest Manisa and on the west Balıkesir are the neighbor cities of Kutahya.

THE CLIMATE

The Innerwest Anatolian transition climate is seen in the city of Kutahya. Heat wise it is mainly under the effect of the Inner Anatolian terrestrial climate, precipitation wise and according to the seasonal dispersion of precipitation it is under the effect of the Marmara Climate. It is cold and snowy in winter and freezing is often seen . The summers are not very hot, the summer drought is rare. In the Gediz and Simav Plains located in the west section of the city, the climate is mild since these regions are located in lower areas than the others. The temperature decreases as you ascend to altitudes above the sea level. The mountain areas are colder than the plains.

THE HISTORICAL PLACES

The Castle:The Kutahya Castle consists of three sections: an inner castle and a fort on the hill that is thought to be the settlement areas starting in the antique periods, and a third section added in the Ottoman period that includes the water spring. The castle was resided during Roman-Byzantium-Seljuk and Ottoman periods. According to Evliya Çelebi, Kutahya Castle has seventy bastions, and is similar to the Diyarbakır Castle with its general lines. The bastions are constructed in very close intervals. It is even possible to determine bastions that look as if they are stuck to each other. The horizontal beams within the tiles, the rows of tiles and the number of tiles on the walls are not identical. Aizanoi:This antique city is located in Cavdarhisar district 57 km southwest of Kutahya. The Roman city that was founded on the two sides of Bedir River had greatly developed during the Christianity Period. (98-117 A.C.)Dock walls were constructed on the two sides of Bedir River and connection between the two sides was provided with five bridges two of which still stand. Aroga, a small temple, Zeus temple, the Bath, Stadium and the Stock Exchange Building within the Theater, The Bath with Mosaics, The Street with Columns, and Monumental Gate ruins are still present. The Cemetery is wide spread around the city. Dr. Klaus Rheiddt is still continuing his excavations in Aizanoi on behalf of the German Archeological Institute. The Phrygian Valley:The rocky area 55km from Kutahya , that starts from the east part of Inlice town of the Ovacık village between the pine forest had been named as the ''Phrygian Valley''. It is known that this valley was resided by the Phyrigians between 900-600 B.C. and later by the Romans and Byzantians. There are hard carved rock graves, churches, and hundreds of caves with the purpose of sheltering and surviving in the ''Phrygian Valley''. This region was divided into three while being investigated. In the first region: two churches carved inside the rocks were excavated. The buildings named as ''Single Church'' and ''Double Church'' have frescos painted on the walls. Besides those there are also writings, meander designs and cross symbols painted by madder. In the second section; ''Castle of Orifice Stone'' were used by the Phyrigians and Byzantians. It was constructed by carving the rocks with sheltering and surviving purposes. There is also a very big church and a hidden passageway and many rooms connected to each other with corridors. The top part was carved like castle forts. The third section called ''Penteser Castle'' is a castle built for protection and it was carved in the rocks. There are a lot of rock graves and caves.

THERMAL TOURISM

Kutahya is one of our richest cities in view of thermal tourism sources. Kutahya has benefited from the decision on the formation of thermal tourism centers that took place during the works that took place in this area. The city has the following thermal centers;Ilıca Harlek Thermal SpringsYoncalı Thermal Springs and WatersTavşanlı Göbel Thermal SpringsGediz Ilicasu Thermal SpringsGediz Murat Mountain Thermal SpringsEmet Yeşil and Kaynaarca Thermal SpringsSimav Eynal Thermal SpringsHisarcık-Hamaköy Thermal Springs