OLD CITY AREAS AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ESKISEHIR CITY (FROM THE FIRST ERA TO THE REPUBLIC)

Abstract

It is possible to prolong the age of settlement in Eskisehir, a city with a long historical past as far back as the paleolithic period. Preliminary information concerning Eskisehir known as Dorylaion (Doryleaum) in ancient times and middle ages, fallas to the tiem of Phyrigians who established an important civilization in the western Anatolia. The city was founded by Doryleos of Eretria. Various authors have pointed to the presence of three different sites, namely, Karacasehir, Sarhoyuk and the present market area as the first founding place of the city. In our opinion oldest location of the city is at the market area now called Koprubasi. Upon dividing of the Roman Empire into two the city fell under the rule of Bizantians and gained importance as recreational place with its thermal waters. Following the Turkish conquests and dominancy in Anatolia after 1071, the city frequently changed sides between Byzanthians and Turks for sometime and then in 1175 moved to Karacasehir and turned into a stronghold place. Uponits capture by Seldjuk Turks when the Byzantine Empire weakened, the city moved to the place now called "Odunpazari". With the decline of Seldjuchs in the 13 th century, the city fell to the Ottoman forces and became one of the first settling places of the Ottoman Empire. The city became activated following migrations in 1877-78 and especially with the opening of the Berlin-Baghdad railroad in 1894. The city after the 1st World War became a base for western front during Turkish Independence War and fell to the Greek forces in 1921. The city was liberated in September 2, 1922 and became a district center.