Gaziantep

Geographically, Gaziantep province is located at the point where the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia Regions meet. This region is located between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, where the first civilizations were born and developed, and is at the crossroads of roads coming from the south and the Mediterranean to the east, north and west, which has made the history of the province very colorful, and has been a settlement area and a stopover point for human communities since prehistoric times. Especially being located on the historical Silk Road has increased the importance of Gaziantep and ensured its continued vitality.

A large part of Gaziantep, a border province neighboring Syria, is located in the western part of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, while a part is located in the east of the Mediterranean region. Gaziantep is surrounded by Şanlıurfa's Birecik and Halfeti to the east; Adıyaman's Besni to the northeast; Kahramanmaraş's Pazarcık to the north; Osmaniye's Bahçe to the west and Hatay's Hassa districts to the southwest; and Kilis provincial borders to the south.

AYINTAP

It is said that Gaziantep took its old name AYINTAP because of the beauty and abundance of its water.

Because, “ayın” means spring, source, the eye of water. Therefore, “tab” means beautiful spring and beautiful source.

Despite giving 6,317 martyrs against the French forces, it showed a unique resistance with courage and courage, and was deemed worthy of the title of “gazi” by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on February 6, 1921, and became “Gaziayıntab”. In 1928, the name of the city was changed to GAZİANTEP.
PLACES TO VISIT IN GAZİANTEP

Archaeology Museum (2nd largest mosaic museum in the world)
Hasan Süzer Ethnography Museum
Medusa Glass Works Museum
Emine Göğüş Kitchen Museum
Belkıs-Zeugma Archaeological Site - Nizip / Belkıs
Yesemek Open Air Museum and Sculpture Workshop - İslahiye / Yesemek
Tilmen Mound Archaeological Site - İslahiye / Tilmen
Dülük Archaeological Site - Şehitkamil / Dülük
Karkamış Ruins
Gaziantep Castle
Rumkale
Göbeklitepe
Halfeti
Glass Terrace

Mosques, Tombs, Churches: Kendirli Church, built in 1860 with the help of French Missionaries and Napoleon III, is worth seeing. Located in the center, St. Mary Church, today known as Kurtuluş Mosque, was built by stonemason Sarkis Taşcıyan between 1873 and 1892 according to the design of Sarkis Balyan. The St. Pedros Church, which was discovered by chance during roadworks in Gaziantep, was built in 1723 and has now been converted into a museum under the name of Ömer Ersoy Cultural Center. The Ökkeşiye Hazretleri, Joshua Prophet and Pirsefa Hazretleri Tombs in the province are tourist attractions worth seeing.

Inns:
There are many inns and caravanserais dating from this period in Gaziantep, which is located on the historical Silk Road route. The Tuz Inn, Şire Inn, Tütün Inn, Hışva Inn, Mecidiye Inn, Emir Ali Inn, Anadolu Inn, Kürkçü Inn, Belediye Inn, Elbeyli Inn, Yeni (Yüzükçü) Inn, Hacı Ömer Inn and Millet Inn are important ones. The Natural Life Protection Area (Zoo), which was started to be built by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality in 1998 and completed in 2002, is currently the largest area in Turkey; and is a place worth seeing in Europe.

WHAT TO BUY?

Copper embroidery, mother-of-pearl inlaid items, gold and silver jewelry, traditional shoes called yemeni, which are sewn from red or black leather and soles made of stout, heelless and very healthy, hand embroidery made with white, yellow and cream colored threads wrapped and pulled on white fabric are original souvenirs that can be bought from Gaziantep.

Gaziantep baklava, pistachios, sweet sausage and pestil, red pepper and spices are recommended for shopping in Gaziantep.

WHAT TO EAT?

Gaziantep cuisine has a privileged place among our country and world cuisines with the richness of its traditions and local taste for years.

İçli köfte, çiğ köfte, ekşili küçük köfte, malhıtalı (Lentil) köfte, yogurt küçük köfte are the original meat dishes made in the province.

Kuşbaşı kebabı (tike Kebabı), minced meat kebab, eggplant kebab, onion kebab, simit kebab and liver kebab should be tasted in the province which is famous for its kebabs.

Yuvarlama, lahmacun, mixed dolma, maş soup, beyran şiveydiz, yaprak sarma, çağla aşı kabaklama, börek aşı, doğrama, stuffed ribs, alinazik, yogurt potato, kunefe, burma kadayıf, baklava and pistachio paste are other known local dishes.

Tuğcan Hotel