Kahramanmaraş
Turkey · Europe
About Kahramanmaraş
Kahramanmaraş, historically Marash and Germanicea (Greek: Γερμανίκεια), is a city in the Mediterranean region of Turkey and the administrative centre of Kahramanmaraş province. After 1973, Maraş was officially named Kahramanmaraş with the prefix kahraman (Turkish word meaning "heroic") to commemorate the Battle of Marash. The city lies on a plain at the foot of Mount Ahır.
On 6 February 2023, much of the city was destroyed in the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes which had their epicentre in Pazarcık and Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş province.
In the early Iron Age (late 11th century BC to ca. 711 BC), Maraş was the capital city of the Syro-Hittite state Gurgum (Hieroglyphic Luwian Kurkuma). It was known as "the Kurkumaean city" to its Luwian inhabitants and as Marqas to the Assyrians. In 711 BC, the land of Gurgum was annexed as an Assyrian province and renamed Marqas after its capital.
Maraş was called Germanicia Caesarea (Ancient Greek: Γερμανίκεια, Germanikeia) by the Romans, which is a phonetic spelling Kermanicaeia/Germanicaeia and Kermanicia/Germanicia, in the time of the Roman...
Kahramanmaraş travel guide
Understand
Kahramanmaraş is the capital city of Kahramanmaraş Province in southeastern Turkey. The city lies on a plain at the foot of the Taurus Mountains and has a population of about 570,000 (2022). The region is best known for its production of salep, a flour made from dried orchid tubers, and its distinctive ice cream.
Getting there
By plane Turkish Airlines operates daily direct flights from Istanbul, and Anadolu Jet operates direct flights from Ankara.
By train As of 2019, there are no rail services to Kahramanmaras. Nearest train station is in the small town of Türkoğlu, 20 kilometers south, which is served by one train per day on the Adana-Elazığ route.
By car Adana - 2 hours (230 km) Gaziantep - 55 minutes (80 km)
By bus Available from every city in Turkey
Getting around
In the city of Kahramanmaras you can travel with the dolmuş minibuses (Fare: 1.25 TL), public urban buses (Halk otobüsü) (Fare: 1.15 TL) or taxi.
See
The Castle Of Kahramanmaras The Covered Bazaar of Kahramanmaras Pinarbasi Ulu Mosque Kahramanmaras Zoo - Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. Ungut/Kahramanmaras Taş Medrese — An Islamic center of learning close to Ulu Mosque Dongel Caves — Kahramanmaras - Kayseri road (57 km) Tekir/Kahramanmaras Kahramanmaras Museum on Azerbaycan Blv. — a small archaeological museum containing a diverse array of artifacts, most notably including a large Hittite collection. 1 Eshab-ı Kehf Külliye (123 km north, 7 km past Afşin) is a 13th-century, Seljuk-built fortified complex with a mosque and caravanserai. It is dedicated to the Ashab al-Kahf, the Islamic version of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, a legendary group of people who hid in a cave to escape the persecution of early Christians and slept for 300 years, to wake into a society where Christianity became the dominant belief. The site has had a long history of continual religious use: it was originally a Hittite temple, then a Roman one and later still a Byzantine church.
Do
Walk around at Trabzon Ave. Covered Bazaar: A must see. A big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents, etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit.
Eat
Soups: Tarhana, Eşkili Soup, Döğmeli Mercimekli Soup, Yoğurtlu Döğmeli Soup and Maraş Paçası Koftes (Burgers): Simit Köftesi, Kısır Köftesi, Içli Köfte, Sömelek Köfte, Suluyağlı Köfte, Eşkili Köfte, Yoğurtlu Köfte, Yavan köfte, Eşkili Aya Köftesi. Kebabs Ice Cream - In Yasar Patiserie Trabzon Ave. Baklava
Budget Cinaralti Kebab (Azerbaycan Ave.) Cumhuriyet Lokantasi (Covered Bazaar) Antepli Lahmacun (Binevler/Kahramanmaras)
Mid-range Selale Park Café (Trabzon Ave.) Kasap Ibrahim (Hukumet Ave.) Kucuk Ev Kebab (Trabzon Ave.) Yenisehir Lokantasi (Trabzon Ave.) Turaç (Sait Zaifoglu Ave. Orman St. No: 101)
Splurge Sezal Restaurant (Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. near Kahramanmaras Zoo)
Drink & nightlife
The open-air café at Selale Park is good for a relief and some shade while watching the city during a summer day. All patisseries and cafes in Trabzon Ave. are attractive.
Sleep
Budget Arıkan Oteli (Azerbaycan Ave.)
Mid-range Buyuk Kahramanmaras Oteli (Trabzon Ave.)
Splurge Ramada Hotel (4*) (Hanefi Mahcicek Ave. No:286 Ungut/Kahramanmaras) [1] Arsan Hotel (4*) (South Highway - Gaziantep Highway Arsancenter Kahramanmaras) [2]
Go next
Andirin Baskonus Yesilgoz Tekir Dongel Caves
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.