Gaziantep (Turkey) is the center of one of the provinces of Southeast Anatolia. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world of Hittite descent. Pistachio nuts are grown in this region; olive groves and vineyards grow here. Judging by the reviews of tourists who have been here, the quality of rest in this place is not inferior to the more familiar and popular resorts. It is famous for its abundance of ancient attractions and culinary art.
Where is the city of Gaziantep in Turkey?
Gaziantep, formerly or informally known as Antepe, is located in southeastern Turkey. The city is located 185 km northeast of Adana and 97 kilometers north of Aleppo, that is, almost on the border with Syria. This is the sixth most populated locality in Turkey. The city center is compact and can be easily walked around. However, reviews of tourists report that if someone has tired legs, then there is the opportunity to use a bus or taxi.
Transport links with other regions are also well established. So, 15 km from the center is the airport. He connects Gaziantep with other major cities of the country with daily flights, which makes it easy to reach various destinations and find out inside which Turkey actually is.
Gaziantep, for example, has a distance of about 500 km to Alanya, and about 600 km to Antalya. Otogar bus station is one of the most convenient in Turkey. It integrates well with most cities in the west and east of the country. Railway connections are established with Istanbul, Ankara, Mosul (Iraq) and Aleppo (Syria).
Old city
You can start exploring the sights of Gaziantep from the Old Town, known as Aintap. It is located 12 kilometers north of the current city, on the upper slopes of the Nizip hill. The territory was constantly inhabited since the Paleolithic - Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, Abbasids and Seljuk Turks ruled here. The emergence of the Ottoman Empire was marked by the construction of mosques, inns, baths and madrassas. This is reported in detail by tourists.
Temples of Gaziantep
There are many mosques in the city, which is understandable: after all, this is a Muslim region. Among the most interesting are:
- Kurtuluş Camii Mosque, originally built in 1892 as a cathedral. This impressive building features alternating black and white stone and looks like a zebra.
- Alaüddevle Camii is located next to the market and is no less admired by guests of Gaziantep.
Turkey remembers the rule of not only the Ottoman rulers. A vivid confirmation of this was interesting examples of Christian churches. So, among them is Kendirli KiIisesi, located on Ataturk Boulevard. Sandwiched between modern buildings, this church was built by French priests with the assistance of Napoleon III in 1860. Responses from tourists tell us that by carefully inspecting the building, you can find attractive black and white medallions on it.
The most interesting museums
There are many different museums in Gaziantep. The most exciting ones included:
- Zevgma (Museum of Mosaic) preserves the largest collection of mosaics in the world and is located at 1700 square meters. Magnificent artifacts were found during excavations of the Roman settlement of Belkis. The exposition provides a detailed analysis of past centuries. Modern interactive technologies give the demonstration a special effect.
- Emine Göğüş talks about the traditions of local cuisine. The exposition provides information and inspiration for exploring amazing snacks. Reviews of tourists are full of new recipes for the preparation of ethnic dishes, special ingredients and technologies.
- Hasan Süzer Ethnography Museum imitates the old lifestyle, decorating the halls with traditional furniture and things. In addition, the exhibition includes various weapons, documents, tools that were used in the defense of the city, as well as photographs of local resistance heroes.
- The Gaziantep City Museum focused on familiarizing itself with ancient crafts: prints, wood carvings, and Hittite sculptures. Here you can find out the history of baklava and shoe craftsmanship. After the tour, you will relax and enjoy tea, coffee or cold beer in the cafe. It works in the courtyard. Live music is sometimes also played there, and local artisan shops are open.
- Mevlevihane Vakıf Müzesi tells a fascinating story about Muslim pious holy fools, dervishes. Visitors can view artwork, woven carpets, manuscripts, and clothing worn by Mevlevi.
Gaziantep Kale
The builders of the Gaziantep fortress are not known for certain. Presumably it was installed in the VI century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian and significantly rebuilt the Seljuk Turks in the XII-XIII centuries. Later, the citadel was rebuilt in 1481 by the Egyptian ruler, and in 1557 - during the Ottoman Empire - Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. It was he who supplemented the construction with watchtowers, mosques and small palaces. 36 watchtowers of round shape lined the walls.
Inside is the tomb of Mehmet Ghazali, a mosque and baths. It is believed that galleries and paths leading to the river are dug under the castle. The fortress was an important bastion of resistance to the French during the war of liberation in 1920-1921. In the inner chambers there is a panoramic museum. Its exposition tells about the heroic defense of the times of the First World War. It pays tribute to the brave defenders of the city.
What else to visit in the city of Gaziantep in southern Turkey?
Visiting the eastern bazaars, judging by the reviews of tourists, has turned into a magical ritual for travelers. The labyrinthine Bakircilar Çarşisi in the city of Gaziantep is no exception. Turkey has for centuries supported the tradition of trade. The local bazaar has combined two markets. Built in the 18th century, Zincirli Bedesten has 80 shops and five gates. Here you can purchase handicrafts and souvenirs.
Kemikli, opened in the 19th century, is a rectangular stone structure with two gates. At this place you will see mini-mountains of spices and elegant garlands of dried peppers.
South of Zincirli Bedesten, in the Elmacı Pazari area, there is an original Güllüoğlu store selling excellent baklava.
And finally, when the sights are examined, souvenirs are purchased, you can stroll through the central park of the city, 100 Yil Atatürk Kültür Parkı. This is a real green paradise for nature lovers, families and couples in love. The recreation area also has some good places to relax, enjoy a beer and watch the sunset.
Cooking secrets
Another attraction is the local cuisine. Gaziantep (Turkey) is widely known for cooking traditions. They took shape under the strong influence of the northern regions of the country and southern neighbors.
The city is famous for a variety of meat dishes. Here they cook spicy kebab - kebab, lahmoun - pickled minced meat with vegetables on an extremely thin crispy dough with garlic or onions. According to tourists, in Gaziantep often serve breakfast beiran - spicy rice soup with lamb.
No less popular dishes with the inclusion of pistachios, which grow in this region. They are eaten both fresh and fried with seasonings. Local desserts include baklava, kunef, kadayif burmali, sari burma. For drinks, citizens prefer licorice root tea. He is called "Turkish Coke", and in the bazaar area they are treated to it for free.