AREA: 14.327 km²POPULATION: 892.952 (1990) TRAFFIC CODE: 46
DISTRICTS: Kahramanmaraş (center), Afşin, Andırın, Çağlıyancerit, Elbistan, Göksun, Pazarcık, Türkoğlu.
Known as "Markasi" in earlies ages, this city, 78 km north of Gaziantep, stands as a site of history, having a long past filled with numerous invasions, was once the capital of Gurgum, a Hittite State in the 12thcentury BC.
There exists an archaeological museum inside the citadel, where Hittite sculptures are on display. Other important remains in the area are the Ulu Mosque and the Tats Medrese, both dating back to the 15thcentury, together with the Hatuniye and Beyazit Mosques of the Ottoman period.
This province, the original name of which was Maras, had shown such valour during the War of Independence, that it was then given the title "Kahraman", which means of "hero".
The speciality of the region is its famous icecream well, and worth trying. Carved wooden furnitures, copper and brass works and handworks of glided silver thread are also treasured. Caving, hunting, fishing beside plateaus and picnicking areas are also famous.
SITES OF INTEREST: Çamlık, Kapıçam, Pınarbaşı, Başkonuş and Çınar Pass forest recreation areas, Maraş, Hurman and Kız castles, Karahöyük, ruins at Turunçlu and Ufacıklı villages, stone relief at Kaşanlı village Kahramanmaraş, Afşin and Elbistan Grand Mosques, Taş Medrese, Haznedarlı, Hatuniye and Himmet Baba mosques, Eshab-ı Kehf mosque complex, small mosque of İklime Hatun, Taşhan, Tuzhan, Hışırhan and Kuruhan, Ceyhan and Körsulu bridges, Kahramanmaraş Museum.
Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (344) 235 15 00 - 02 - 03
Fax: (344) 235 15 01
Cultural Centers
A hall of 300 seating capacity for theater, conference, etc.
Gallery
Contact Address: Kültür Merkezi Müdürlüğü
Adana Asvaltı üzeri Atatürk Parkiçi - Kahramanmaraş
Tel: (344) 223 44 84
Fax: (344) 223 44 81
State Fine Arts Gallery Directorate
Sabancı Kültür Merkezi
Atatürk Parkı İçi
KAHRAMANMARAŞ
Tel: (0 344) 223 44 86
Fax: 223 44 81
Museum
Kahramanmaraş Museum
Address: Azerbaycan Bul. Yenişehir Sok. No: 43 -
Kahramanmaraş
Tel: (344) 223 44 87
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Kahramanmaraş
Sites
Archaeological Sites: 43
Urban Sites: 1
Natural Sites: -
Historical Sites: -
Other Sites
Archaeological and Natural Sites: 1
Total: 45
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural Heritages: 163
TOTAL: 208
Significant Days
Local Days of Celebration:
Arrival of Atatürk at Narlı
Narlı Kasabası
26 Ocak
Day of the Medal
Kahramanmaraş
5 April
Heroism Day
Kahramanmaraş
7 February
Freedom from Occupation Days:
Kahramanmaraş's Freedom Day
Kahramanmaraş
12 February
Expositions:
Agriculture, Industry and Handicrafts Exposition
Kahramanmaraş
In August
Festivals:
Karakucak Wrestling Festival
Center
2nd week of October (Sat., Sun.)
Karakucak Wrestling Festival
Göksün District
On days to be determined starting beginning
of August to end September
Karakucak Wrestling Festival
Afşin District, Arıtaş Town
On days to be determined starting beginning
of August to end September
Karakucak Wrestling Festival
Türkoğlu
On days to be determined starting beginning
of August to end September
Karakucak Wrestling Festival
Andırın
August-end of September