Eskisehir is located on the banks of the Porsuk River, 792 m above sea level, where it overlooks the fertile Phrygian Valley in northwestern Turkey. In the nearby hills one can find hot springs. The city was founded by the Phrygians in at least 1000 BC, although it has been estimated to be older than 4000 years old. Many ancient geographers described the city as one of the most beautiful in Anatolia.
As a university town, the city has been redesigned by its Major, Yılmaz Buyukersen, who has been credited as an example of how a capable and progressive mayor can transform a functioning conservative city into a cultural center. He was elected rector of Anadolu University by the president of Turkey in 1982 and then elected as Mayor of Eskisehir in 1999 and has been elected consecutively for more than 5 times. His execution of a series of Urban Development Projects made the city unique and rich with museums and sites to see. Buyukersenis also the only professional wax sculptor in Turkey. His works are also displayed in the Yilmaz Buyukersen Wax Museum in Eskisehir.The wax sculpture of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Anitkabir Museum was designed and produced by Buyukersen.
Kutayha is another city in western Turkey lying on the Porsuk river as well. The region of Kutahya has large areas of gentle slopes with agricultural land culminating in high mountain ridges to the north and west and the city is famous for its kiln products, such as tiles, pottery and porcelain, which are glazed and multicolored.
