Gaziantep
Gaziantep is the first
city of Turkey deserve to get the title of veteran (gazi). City was used to
call Ayintap. City during
the independance war of Turkey resisted heroically against intruders . The grand national assembly
of Turkey awarded Antep’s bravery
by giving the title of veteran (gazi) .
When you travel to gaziantep you will first see the the castle built on the
highest rocky hill in the city called Kudret (potency) . It’s assumed that the
castle remained from the Hittites period. Castle surrounded by walls 1200
mt lenght. In the castle 26 towers and bastions are available. We
understand from the scripts ; Western bastions were built during the mamlukians
period and two towers next to castle bridge in Suleyman the magnificent Ottoman
period . Under the bastions a hall exists which circulating all around the
castle . Ruins of a mosque and roughly 40 houses visible in the
castle. It’s rumoured a tunnel under the base of Castle reaches the
ancient site in Duluk.
Gaziantep City Tour
You can first go to Sahinbey the place almost in the center of the city and
where all local markets lined up one another . Many local markets with
hundreds of different goods will be waiting you. Especially Copper bazaar and
Shoe makers Bazaar are the most interestings. There you can see how
people make handmade copper goods and shoes. You can then go to castle on
the hill and watch the Gaziantep from birdview point. One of the place must
visit in the city is the Zeugma mosaic museum. Museum containts
the mosaics found from theZeugma city are exhibited here. Zugma museum
is the biggest mosaic museum in the world. Mosaics exhibited in the
city are really well preserved and worth to see. Another place to
see is the tahmis Kahvesi the structure was built in 1640 during the
Ottoman Sultan Murat the 4th. Structure has too many shops and
cafes to relax and drink something. A coffee named Menengic is recommended to
taste.
Gaziantep has a very famous cuisine not only in Turkey but also in the
world . Especially Baklava (finely layered pastry filled with nuts and steeped
in syrup ) and kebaps must be tasted. These dishes tastes will be unforgettable
for you.
Zeugma