KULA  (BURNT LAND - KATEKEKAUMENE)

Kula is a district getting ready to put its stamp on the 21^st century with its historical, cultural and geographic heritage positioned at 79 km to Uşak, 145 km to İzmir, 457 km to Ankara, 430 km to Antalya, 380 km to Bodrum and 580 km to Istanbul. 

Nearest airports; İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport 140 km, Ankara Esen Boğa Airport 430 km , Antalya Airport 430 km, İstanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport 585 km 

Located East of Manisa, Kula is surrounded on the East by, southeast by Sarıgöl, south by Alaşehir, west by Salihli, and north by Demirci and Selendi districts. It has an altitude of 720 meters from sea level, set up on the southern tip of a volcanic land. The District is somewhere between the Mediterranean climate and Terrestrial climate, having an inner western climate type.  

According to 2000 census, Kula’s urban and rural population is 52.986, taken together. And the Kula city center’s population is 24.217. There are 2 townships and a total of 49 villages connected to the district of Kula. 

Kula is a city living and making other experience the City Tourism, Nature Tourism, Health Tourism and Religious Tourism and diversity and difference together. 

Kula looks like a gate opening up to the fire days of Anatolia. The region named by geologists as “Kula Volcanism” is one of Turkey’s most important and youngest geological heritages with its fascinating geological formations and volcanic cones giving an impression that it has cooled down just yesterday. Close to the city center, Divlit Volcano is one of the elements pioneering the development of nature tourism. 

Footprints of primitive man were encountered during excavations in the region within the border of Katekekaumene  (Burnt Land) in Divlit, in the vicinity of Demir Köprü Dam, which is a proof that primitive men lived in this region. In addition, excavations revealed marble relief and tablets of 56 AD, telling that Kula and its vicinity was an important settlement. 

Another example and the youngest formation of Fairy Chimneys largely encountered in Cappadocia are located in Burgaz Locality in Kula. And now this region is described as Kula Fairy Chimneys. 

Kula has been ruled by the Lydian, Persians, Romans and Byzantines, respectively. It was then conquered by Turks, getting into Ottoman control around 1358. 

Zaferiye School and the Churches in the region where Old Kula Houses are located and still bearing the traces of Greek architecture, have been restored and are waiting to be utilized by the Turkish Tourism sector. 

Tombs of Yunus Emre and his teacher Tabduk Emre are in Emre village over Ankara-İzmir Highway, 10 kilometers to Kula. And it is the most important source of the development of religious tourism in our city.

Illustrated on every wall with ornamentations, Emre Village Mosque is a classical age structure with three-cell community place and dome section. Built between 1547 and 1548, the mosque has been decorated and completed with wall illustration between 1808 and 1821.

Kula is one of the settlements that has never been sad for having no coasts on the Aegean thanks to its historical, cultural and natural identity. 

Emir Spas is an economic value for the development and spread of health tourism.

Spas are located in an area also containing an old bath from the Roman period. They are 17 km to the city center. Old remains around the spas still survive. Archaeological excavations can be very important for the development of tourism in our region. Average water amount is 151lt/sn depending on the data in two wells in the Spas region. The temperature is between 63 to 65 degrees Celsius. 

Located over the Emir Spas road, Kula Mineral water enterprise offers services to the entire central Anatolian region in addition to the Aegean Region with its production capacity. 

One other element pioneering the development of City tourism is the Historical Kula Houses.

Dominated by 18^th and 19^th Turkish-Ottoman and Greek architectural structures, there are efforts to preserve Historical Kula Houses before they lose their attributes.  

Kula Houses are rich in ornamentations as well as their architecture. Ceilings, room doors, cabinet doors, cells, closets, kitchen hoods, window railings, stair posts and fringe cornices are main elements decorated.  

Preliminary plans are finished at the settlement, which is announced as a conservation site, with the restoration efforts started. The restored Turkish House has a comfort and beauty that invites you to visit and drink a Turkish coffee.

Sightseeing

• Tombs  of Yunus Emre and Tabduk Emre
• Carullah Mosque
• Fairy Chimneys
• Emir Spas and Kula Mineral Water
• Divlit Volcano and Vicinity
• Historical Kula Houses and Streets
• Turkish House
• Kenan Evren Museum
• Kurşunlu Mosque
• Historical Tradesmen’s Bazaar
• Shah Suleiman’s Tomb
• Çinçin Bath