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6 places to visit in the İnönü district of Eskişehir: İnönü Battlefield, İnönü Battlefield and Monument and İnönü Castle. Plan your trip to İnönü with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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İnönü is a district of Eskişehir province and lies in the Central Anatolia Region. It separated from the central district of Eskişehir in 1987 and became a district.

History

According to the analysis of column capitals collected from the ruins at the site now called Eserönü, the town’s founders were the Phrygians. In the Ottoman period, the village of İnönü was the place where the First and Second Battles of İnönü were fought during the War of Independence.

Culture and Industry

Well-known industrial facilities such as Ford Otosan, Yurtbay Seramik, Seranit Seramik and Deniz Porselen are located within the district boundaries of İnönü. The İnönü Training Centre of the Turkish Aeronautical Association’s General Directorate of Turkkuşu is also located here.

Kuman-Kıpçak Finds

The archaeologist Adil Yılmaz discovered a stone statue in the Kuman-Kıpçak style, dating back to the 13th century, in the cemetery of Geyikdere village. A similar example was found in 2019 in the cemetery of İnönü district by a team from the History Department of Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University.

History and Culture

İnönü is the place where the First and Second Battles of İnönü took place during the War of Independence. İnönü village was occupied by Greek forces in 1920 and liberated on 4 September 1922. In 1930, İnönü was attached to the Bozüyük district as a subdistrict separated from Söğüt. In 2019, a stone statue similar to the Kuman-Kıpçak type was found in the cemetery of İnönü district.

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Places to Visit in İnönü

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Museum
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
Attraction

İnönü Battlefield

The area where the First and Second Battles of İnönü were fought during the War of Independence.

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Historic

İnönü Battlefield and Monument

The area where the First and Second Battles of İnönü, won against the Greek army in 1921 during the War of Independence, took place. It has been laid out as an open-air museum. The monument, symbolising the victory of the Turkish army under the command of İsmet İnönü, is an important symbol of the history of the national struggle.

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Historic

İnönü Castle

A castle on a hill overlooking the district centre, which reflects the strategic importance of the area with its walls dating from the Byzantine period.

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Nature

İnönü Caves

Natural caves in the area around the district, which attract interest for their geological formations and historical uses. Some caves were used as shelters in the Byzantine period.

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Religious

İnönü Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque in the district centre was built in the Ottoman period and stands out for its traditional stone architecture. Spolia ancient stones were used in the foundations of the building, which bears traces of different civilisations.

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Museum

İnönü War Headquarters House

The house that Commander of the Western Front İsmet İnönü used as his headquarters during the War of Independence. The museum, opened in 2001, displays photographs of the İnönü battles and front orders. The building is registered as an example of Ottoman-era civil architecture.

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Places to Visit Around Eskişehir Province

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While you are in İnönü, you can also see the highlights of Eskişehir province. These places are in other districts; İnönü is about 40 km from the provincial centre.

  • Odunpazarı Houses — The historic quarter on the hills where the city first grew up; with its winding streets and colourful timber houses with bay windows, it preserves the Ottoman urban fabric and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2012. Many of the houses are now museums, workshops or cafés.
  • Odunpazarı Modern Museum (OMM) — A contemporary art museum designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma with stacked timber beams, inspired by Odunpazarı's past as a wood market; it opened on 7 September 2019 with the collection of Erol Tabanca, an architect and collector from Eskişehir.
  • Kurşunlu Complex — A complex of mosque, soup kitchen, caravanserai and madrasa built by Çoban Mustafa Paşa in 1525; its caravanserai is counted among the works of Mimar Sinan.
  • Porsuk River Banks — The banks of the Porsuk River, which divides the city centre in two, have been landscaped with bridges, walking paths and cafés; gondola and boat tours run on the river.
  • Midas Monument and Midas City (Yazılıkaya) — A 17-metre Phrygian cult façade carved into the rock around 600 BC in the Yazılıkaya neighbourhood of the Han district; the name Midas appears in the Phrygian inscriptions.
  • Pessinus (Ballıhisar) — A Phrygian and Roman city in the village of Ballıhisar, south of Sivrihisar, and the most important place of worship of the mother goddess Cybele.

Practical Information for Visiting İnönü

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
6 places

What to Eat in İnönü

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  • Çibörek

    Çibörek, made by wrapping a minced meat filling in thin dough and frying it in hot oil, is a classic flavour of the Eskişehir region. Its preparation with seasonal ingredients means the dish offers a different flavour in every season.

  • Balaban Kebabı

    Balaban kebabı, prepared by pouring minced meat, browned butter tomato sauce and yoghurt over pide bread, is a flavour unique to Eskişehir. Its preparation with seasonal ingredients means the dish offers a different flavour in every season.

  • Met Helvası (starch halva)

    Met helvası, made with starch, sugar and butter, is one of Eskişehir's traditional desserts. Prepared by the local people on special occasions, this flavour is a symbol of hospitality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of İnönü

  • War of Independence Heritage

    İnönü was the scene of the First and Second Battles of İnönü in 1921, which were turning points of the War of Independence. After these victories, Pasha İsmet took the surname İnönü. The district is one of the most important places in the history of the national struggle.

  • Strategic Crossing Point

    Throughout history İnönü has been located at the strategic crossing point between Eskişehir and Bilecik. This location has shaped the district's military history and cultural importance.

Local Products

  • Lüle Stone — A white mineral specific to the Eskişehir region, lüle stone is used to make pipes and jewellery.
  • İnönü Honey — Flower honey gathered from the district's forested areas, a natural and aromatic variety of honey.

Economy

The economy of İnönü is based on farming and livestock rearing. Wheat, barley and sugar beet are the main agricultural products. Marble mining is also an important sector in the region.

How to Get to İnönü

İnönü is approximately 40 km from Eskişehir city centre. It is located on the Eskişehir-Bilecik highway. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.

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İnönü: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in İnönü?

The 6 highlights of İnönü are: İnönü Battlefield, İnönü Battlefield and Monument, İnönü Castle, İnönü Caves, İnönü Grand Mosque and İnönü War Headquarters House.

What is there to eat in İnönü?

Çibörek, Balaban Kebabı and Met Helvası are the standout flavours on İnönü's tables.

What is İnönü famous for?

İnönü is known for Lüle Stone and the War of Independence Heritage. A white mineral specific to the Eskişehir region, lüle stone is used to make pipes and jewellery.

How do I get to İnönü?

İnönü is approximately 40 km from Eskişehir city centre. It is located on the Eskişehir-Bilecik highway. The nearest airport is Eskişehir Hasan Polatkan Airport.

How much time should I set aside for a trip to İnönü?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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