Located in western Turkey, this historic city preserves an ancient citadel, Ottoman mosques, and Byzantine churches. Traditional Turkish baths and nearby archaeological sites draw visitors.
In western Turkey, Uşak welcomes visitors with its deep canyons, ancient ruins, and traditional kilim workshops. You can watch local artisans weave intricate carpets in Takmak village, explore the 135-meter deep Ulubey Canyon, or walk through the ruins of 4th-century BC Blaundus. The city's archaeological museum contains the famous Karun Treasures, including golden artifacts from the Lydian civilization.
Traditional Kilim Weaving in Uşak
Visit the village of Takmak to see local women create distinctive kilim patterns like safe namazlik, selvili namazlik, and altinbas. In Takmak, weavers make kilims primarily for their daughters' dowries, while in Esme's sixty villages, artisans produce kilims for commercial sale. Plan your visit during the May kilim festival in Esme, where you can learn traditional weaving techniques and see how artisans recreate historical patterns using natural dyes.
Archaeological Treasures and Ancient Sites
Walk through the Uşak Archaeological Museum to see more than 350 Lydian artifacts, including the Karun Treasures - a collection returned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1993. Take a 40-minute drive to reach Blaundus, where city walls, a gymnasium, and a theater from the 4th century BC stand on a hilltop surrounded by valleys. The museum opens daily from 9 AM to 5 PM except Mondays.
Exploring Ulubey Canyon
Walk along the rim of Ulubey Canyon, where the Banaz stream flows 135 meters below. The canyon's walking trails lead you down into the valley, and a glass-floored viewing platform lets you look straight down into the gorge. Bring sturdy shoes for the hiking trails and visit early morning or late afternoon for the best light for photos.
Local Food and Cuisine
Try tarhana soup, a regional specialty made from dried fermented grain and yogurt. Local restaurants serve keşkek (wheat and meat stew) and çömlek eti (meat slow-cooked in clay pots). Sample traditional pastries like muska böreği and katmer, or try local desserts höşmerim and cendere. Many restaurants cluster around the city center, where you can find both traditional and modern Turkish cuisine.
Getting Around and When to Visit
Uşak lies 210 kilometers from İzmir, with regular train and bus connections. The city's continental climate brings temperatures above 30°C in summer and below freezing in winter, making April-May or September-October the most comfortable months to visit. Two industrial zones operate in the city, continuing its manufacturing tradition from Ottoman times when it pioneered urban electricity networks and formal labor agreements.
