Kutahya City is one of the oldest Turkish cities, with Turkish traditions still being practiced today and important Ottoman architectural monuments, including a castle, mosques, medreses, baths, complexes, mausoleums, and mansions. One of the finest mosques is the 14th century Ulu Mosque. Kutahya Castle offers a wonderful, panoramic view of the old town on the western side of the city. The Kutahya Archaeology Museum was a medrese in the 14th century; it now displays ethnographia, Roman and Byzantine relics, and tiles of Iznik and Kutahya from Ottoman times. Lajos Kossuth, the 19th century Hungarian hero, lived with his family in what is now the Kossuth House Museum; relics and documents related to Kossuth are displayed in the museum.
The kilns of Kutahya produced exquisite ceramics in the 16th and 17th centuries - a craft which lives on today. You can visit the workshops where skilled artisans produce tiles, plates and bowls renowned for their cobalt blue patterns on a milky white background.
Southwest of Kutahya, is the Roman town of Cavdarhisar (Aezani) where a theatre, stadium and the Temple of Zeus remain. In the same direction, Murat Mountain offers camping facilities and hot springs, amid delightful scenery. Near Dumlupinar are the Baskomutan National Park and the War of Independence memorials.

Manisa

An attractive Aegean city, Manisa has preserved several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Endowed by Ayse Sultana, mother of Suleyman the Magnificent, the Sultan Mosque was built early in the 16th century. Every year in April, on the grounds of this mosque, a festival is held celebrating Mesir Macunu, a sticky imperial elixir that reputedly cured the sultan's ailing mother. The 16th century Muradiye Mosque was designed by the great architect Sinan and the adjacent medrese, or theological college, today houses the Archaeological Museum. September sees the annual Harvest Festival begin when the fruit of the vineyards are brought in with great celebration. The region's numerous vineyards produce grapes, dried for export. South of the city lies the Sipil Dagi National Park, home of the famous "crying rock" of Niobe. If you travel to the northeast you come to Gordes, a pleasant town particularly known for its fine carpets.

Usak

Historically, Usak was an important, carpet weaving center, a role it continues to play today. Tourists find the Archaeology Museum informative and interesting. The Kaftanci House Museum, with the Ataturk Ethnography Museum, displays wonderful Usak carpets and kilims; Ataturk resided here.