USAK
The historical background of Usak goes back to 5000 BC. This province,
is situated at the inner side of Western Anatolia.
Being closer to the central region, rather
than the Aegean, a typical continental climate
prevails in the area. The most distinct characteristic of the city is its
location, constituting a pathway between four different regions
of Turkey, namely the Marmara,
Aegean,
Central Anatolian and the Mediterranean
regions.
As such a binding point, the province witnessed the earliest civilizations
which have passed by, and left their signs in every corner of the land.
From the Lydians to the Persians, from the Romans
to the Ottomans, Usak had been ruled by many
invaders, and the remains of those ancient times are found in various districts.
There is an archaeological museum in the province, which holds the finds
from the area, and is worth a visit for those who are interested. Especially the
display of Karun Treasures who were stolen during illegal excavations in the
60's and which were returned back in 1993 by Authorities in collaboration of
Metropolitan Museum of Art, are the best examples of the museum.
Usak is an important and lively weaving center. High quality cotton
cloth and bed sheets are widely produced in the various towns; and the
carpets
and kilims traditionally woven here are
world famous, with their many colors and beautiful motifs. There are also
picnicking areas and thermal centers in the region.
Esme Kilims
Although antique carpets are world famous,
today the province’s weavers make kilims
instead of carpets. Kilims are associated first and foremost with the district
of Esme and the village of Takmak. The women of
Takmak do not make kilims commercially,
but only for the dowries of their daughters or grandchildren. Esme on the
other hand has turned kilim weaving into a commercial asset, and has held
a kilim festival every May. The sixty villages
of the district are all cashing in on the growing popularity of kilims,
and thanks to the efforts of some entrepreneurs traditional colors and
designs have been revived. Over recent years kilim weaving has come to
rival tobacco cultivation as the main source of income for local families.
There are many different local types of kilim design, such as the safe
namazlik, selvili namazlik, altinbas, albas, aynali kilim, and Takmak kilimi.
The kilims woven in the area are sold first
to wholesalers in Istanbul, and from there are
exported all over the world.