Kütahya’s Cultural Legacy: A New Gem on the European Route of Ceramics

Kütahya, a Turkish city celebrated for its rich history in ceramic and tile making, has become the newest member of the European Route of Ceramics, a Council of Europe-certified cultural route promoting the heritage and traditions of ceramic production. The city invites visitors to discover its unique craftsmanship and heritage, offering a captivating journey into the artistry and tradition that have flourished there for centuries.

The European Route of Ceramics aims to highlight the ancient tradition of ceramics, creating opportunities for sustainable tourism and providing travellers with the opportunity to engage with both the tangible and intangible aspects of this rich cultural heritage. Along the route, visitors can explore unique artistic productions and collections, participate in workshops, visit museums that showcase the evolution and diversity of ceramic art, and learn the local know-how and craftsmanship essential for ceramic production in various destinations.

This year, Kütahya joined Türkiye's previous two destinations on the European Route of Ceramics: Avanos, one of Cappadocia's oldest settlements, and İznik, a CittaSlow town in Bursa. Kütahya’s inclusion in the route underscores Türkiye’s rich cultural and artistic heritage once again while celebrating the city’s historical contributions to the world of ceramics. The recognition also enhances Kütahya’s appeal as a vibrant cultural destination for travellers seeking to experience Türkiye’s artistic heritage.

The Turkish city of Kütahya, situated in the western part of the country along the Porsuk River, is an ancient place in Anatolian geography that hosted many civilisations, including Hittites, Phrygians, Hellenes, Lydians, Bithynians, Macedonians, Romans, Eastern Romans, Anatolian Seljuks, and Ottomans. The city has long been famed for its pottery and ceramics, with production dating back to the 14th-15th centuries. With such a deep-rooted heritage, Kütahya earned the title of “UNESCO Creative City” in the field of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017.

Ceramic making began with the Hittites in Kütahya and developed consistently until the end of the Ottoman era. However, ceramic art started with red clay in the city in the last half of the 14th century. Kütahya’s pottery was very much influenced by the pottery of İznik, which enjoyed a worldwide reputation, and only after its decline did Kütahya rise in fame. In these first samples, the motifs resembled İznik tiles, and cobalt blue, manganese purple, turquoise and black shades were used. The colours were darker-toned, compared to the İznik works, and thus resembled the tiles of the Anatolian Seljuks. Later, a new, gorgeous style was launched with blue-white ceramics, similar to white, hard clay porcelain. The earliest examples are the single-glazed bricks on the minaret of the Kütahya Kurşunlu Mosque, dated 1377. Kütahya tiles are used in architectural works in İstanbul and other significant places.

Kütahya has also raised many prominent artists who have significantly contributed to the world of ceramics and beyond, showcasing their talent and creativity locally and internationally. Tile artist Sıtkı Olçar was the first to receive the Living Human Treasure designation, awarded by UNESCO in 2008. After the death of Olçar in 2010, tile master Mehmet Gürsoy was designated a Living Human Treasure by UNESCO in 2009. In 2020, tile artist Hamza Üstünkaya, from Kütahya, received the title.