Uşak: Museums, History and Carpet-Weaving Tradition

Uşak brings together the city’s history, archaeological collections and a distinctive carpet-weaving tradition. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the museums and historic houses in the city and the cultural and natural sites in the wider area. If you are looking for a hotel in Uşak, this thematic focus can help you plan your trip accordingly.

Museums and City History

The Atatürk and Ethnography Museum is housed in the building where Atatürk spent the night on 2 September 1922 during the War of Independence. The building combines its present-day function as a museum with a clearly dated historical event. In the city centre, the Uşak City History Museum presents the city’s history chronologically. The exhibition also covers geography, the struggle for liberation, tourist attractions, natural beauty, folkloric values and Uşak tarhana. Visual displays and models accompany the presentation. The Uşak Archaeology Museum displays the Winged Seahorse Brooch, one of the most valuable pieces in the Karun Treasures. The museums therefore offer different perspectives: a historic house, the city’s history in chronological form and a distinctive archaeological exhibit.

Historic Houses and Carpet Weaving

Historic houses in the Aybey, Bozkurt, Karaağaç, Kurtuluş and Işık neighbourhoods are protected. They preserve features of Ottoman architecture and shape the city’s historic character. At Dokur Evi, Uşak carpet weaving continues in a restored 180-year-old building, which has 40 looms. The house brings historic architecture and textile craftsmanship together.

On a wider regional scale, Uşak is considered the origin of carpets from the Ottoman period and an important centre of Ottoman carpet weaving. The carpet tradition is thus a cultural highlight of the region, distinct from the city’s historic houses and museums.

Archaeology and Scenery in the Wider Area

The ancient city of Blaundos lies within the boundaries of Sülümenli village in Ulubey district, on a peninsula surrounded by deep valleys. It includes a castle, temples, a theatre, a stadium and rock-cut tombs. The combination of its striking setting and range of ancient structures makes Blaundos especially interesting for travellers who want to explore several aspects of a historic site. The Ulubey Canyons also have ancient water channels, as well as rock-cut tombs and caves.

Taşyaran Valley Nature Park has picnic areas, a viewing terrace, a lookout tower, toilets, gazebos, a snack bar and a place to have tea and coffee. Facilities may change over time; check the latest information before your visit. Taşyaran Valley also has a hiking trail approximately 2,500 metres long.

Further afield, the Clandras Bridge is located in Karahallı district. It dates from the Phrygian period and is an aqueduct. A wooden walkway crosses the Banaz Çayı at the bridge. The events calendar can also be useful when planning your trip: the Ulubey Canyon Culture and Tourism Festival is held every year from 1 to 3 July in Ulubey district. Check that year’s programme before travelling.

For trip planning, the highlights can be divided as follows: museums, protected houses and carpet weaving offer a glimpse into Uşak’s city history; Blaundos and Clandras represent historic sites in the wider area, while Taşyaran adds a nature and hiking element.

Discover more destinations: Uşak, Ulubey, Eşme, Sivaslı, Kütahya, Afyonkarahisar, Aydin, Manisa.

Return to the main travel overview: Turkish Aegean.