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Kütahya Music

Kütahya’s folklore heritage is as rich as its history and culture.  As the city of the ancient Phrygians, famous for their music contests, the Germiyanids, who protected poets, writers and folk poets, and the Ottomans, famous for composer sultans, Kütahya has contributed significantly to the Turkish arts in the music field, as it has in other fields.

Traveller Evliya Çelebi, from Kütahya, notes in the Book of Travels (Seyahatname) that Germiyan Sultan Yakup II was an excellent saz player and also invented an instrument called the çöğür.

Kütahya Zeybeks

The Zeybeks lived in Kütahya and its vicinity, usually in highlands like Tavşanlı and Simav, where state authority did not exist. They became especially known during the national struggle, famous in the region due to various heroic or banditry events. Zeybek ballads are prominent among the folk songs of the region. Zeybek dances, common especially in Aegean Region, are among the region’s important cultural values. 

Vlad Dracula Legend

There are rumours that Vlad Dracula, known as Vlad the Impaler in the history, was at one point incarcerated for various misdeeds in Eğrigöz Castle, which is surrounded by cliffs by four sides on steeps. While there is no definitive evidence, the locals believe that this story is true.

Harlek - Sarıkız Legend

The story of Kütahya’s Harlek – the name of the hot springs and the region – has been told for generations by word of mouth. It is also known as the Sarıkız Legend.  According to the story: Sarıkız was in the Turkish bath, in the region still known as Ilıca. While bathing, she heard a voice asking, “Should I come incessantly or affluently?”. This made no sense to Sarıkız, but the voice kept asking the question. In the end, Sarıkız replied, “Come incessantly!”. Waters emerged from the rocks, “incessantly” and took Sarıkız away.