Kula

Kula lies in the volcanic country of western Anatolia, amid dark lava fields and cones known to ancient writers as the Burnt Land. Its streets and timber houses grew in a landscape shaped by eruptions and the valleys of the Gediz basin. The town also became a centre of carpet weaving, sharing a craft tradition with Gördes and other inland settlements.

Under Ottoman rule Kula's markets and houses reflected the prosperity of its merchants and craftsmen. Eighteenth-century houses with projecting upper floors and timber construction give the town a distinctive appearance. Weavers produced rugs, including prayer carpets, for use and trade beyond the district. The dark volcanic ground and the buildings of the Ottoman town together give Kula its unusual character.