ODUNPAZARI

The history of Odunpazarı Houses dates back to the Ottoman Empire and it is the people location where people built houses in Eskişehir. These houses have many architectural characteristics. Odunpazarı Houses are located on the top of hills in the northern part of Eskişehir. According to a story, the first people who were planning to reside in Eskişehir couldn’t decide which area to choose. So they hung up two pieces of liver, one in the Odunpazarı Area and the other in the Porsuk Area. Eventually, the liver in the Odunpazarı area decayed later than the other one so they built their houses there.

This small village has many characteristics of the Ottoman style. The houses in this village were constructed with a unique architectural style. The entrances of the houses were designed at the front on the streets and the gardens are at the back. These houses have 2 or 3 floors and they also have balconies. There is a patio in the middle of the house and the rest of the rooms are around it. The most important rooms are the ones in the corners facing the street or the garden, so the visitors are welcomed in these rooms. The first floor is used as a kitchen and the storage room is also on that floor. The living room and the bedrooms are located on the top floors.

Nowadays people spend their time sitting and chatting in the streets together. Neighbours help each other whenever they need help. They are united as a family and care for each other as they did in the past which helps keep their traditions alive and maintain good relations.

The Eskişehir Municipality has been paying special attention to keeping this small village and the colourful houses as it was in the past. The tourism agencies in Odunpazarı have printed leaflets to advertise the area and the tradesman support the repairs of the houses by donating money. The renovations of the houses and the efforts of the local people mean that there are more and more visitors every day.