Karaman
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KARAMAN
Area: 9.237 km²
Population: 217.536 (1990)
Traffic Code: 70
The province of Karaman is located to the south of the Central Anatolian Region and is between Konya - İçel - Antalya provinces. The province is a major commerce, culture and art center. Karaman province and its vicinity is known to be inhabited from the beginning of BC 8000 and the region charms and fascinates the visitors with the touristic beauties as underground cities, caves, religious centers and also with natural beauties as plateaus and other natural flora and fauna, rich hand crafted art works.
Districts : Ayrancı, Ermenek, Kâzımkarabekir.
How to Get
Highway The bus station is located approximately 3 kilometers outside of the city center. Reaching to the bus station is possible via public buses, commercial taxis and shared taxis.
Address of the Bus Station Karaman Municipality Bus Station - Konya highway vicinity,
Tel: (+90-338) 213 24 65
Railway The railway station is located at 1 km. distance to the city center.
Address of the Railway Station Valide Sultan Quarter 1st Station Avenue,
Tel: (+90-338) 213 33 60
Where to Visit
MOSGUES AND CHURCHES
Aktekke Mosque (Mader-i Mevlana Mosque) The mosque is located at the city center. It was constructed at the Karamanoğlu period entirely from shear stones and has a large central dome and a high minaret. At the left side of the mosque in a separated place, the coffin tombs of Mümine Hatun, mother of Hz. Mevlana and his grandsons are present.
Yunus Emre Mosque The mosque is located at the city center and was constructed at the Karamanoğlu period. The structure is central domed. Inside the mosque, the tomb of famous Turkish intellectual and thinker Mutasavvıf Yunus Emre is present.
Binbir (A thousand and one) Church (Maden Şehri - Değle): The church is located to the north of the Karaman Province at 50 km. distance and at the skirts of Karadağ mountain. As there are numerous ruins of churches at the vicinity of Karadağ, the churches at the region is named as Binbir (A thousand and one) churches.
Derbe The church is located inside the borders of Ekinözü village which is 23 km. away from the Karaman province. The historic sources indicate that the Derbe Church is among the first churches constructed in the world. This church was constructed in the year AD 41, 13 years before the construction of the Sister Mary Church in Ephesos. The Derbe Church is stated three times in the Holy Bible of the Christians. The Christians visiting Derbe Church had become Christian Pilgrims according to their religious beliefs.
Alahan The inn is located to 40 km south of the Karaman Province. The structure was constructed in the 12th century by Seljukians.
Religion Tourism
Aktekke Mosque (Mader-i Mevlana Mosque, Center): It was constructed by Ruler Alaaddin Ali of Karamanoğulları Domain for the mother of Mevlana, Mümine Hatun in 1370. The building is also called as "Mader-i Mevlana Mosque and Tomb" or "(Mevlevi Tekkesi)Dervish Convent". On the west side of the mihrap ( niche of a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca), there are the graves of the mother, wife, children and grandchildren of Mevlana.
Yunus Emre Mosque (Center): It is located at Kirişçi District. It is estimated that the külliye complex made up of a mosque, tomb, lodgings for itinerant dervishes and graves surrounded by walls, was constructed in XIVth century. Due to the belief that Yunus Emre and Şeyhi Taptuk Emre were buried there, it has been recalled with this name. Dated 1561, the tombstones of the graves were among the most precious examples of Karamanoğulları Domain with their inscriptions and adornments.
Yunus Emre Tomb (Center): At the city center of Karaman province, it is located at Kirişçi District adjacent to Yunus Emre Mosque. The four sarcophagus in the tomb belong to Yunus Emre, Taptuk Emre,son of Yunus Emre, İsmail and to his daughter.
It was built during Karamanoğulları period. The area at south facade of the mosque was arranged as Yunus Emre Poetry Park.
İmaret Mosque (Center): Built by Karamanoğlu İbrahim Bey II. in 1433, the complex composed of a mescit( small mosque), tomb, kitchen, darülhuffaz and darülkurra, a house for the readers of Koran, guesthouse for the visiters. Today all of these sections are used as a mosque.
The tiled mihrap ( niche of a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca) has been displayed at Çinili Köşk in İstanbul, while the wooden engraved door and casements have been exhibited at Turkish Islamic Arts Museum.
Taşkale Mosque (Mağara Mescid-Taş Mescid, Taşkale): 50 km from Karaman and at Taşkale borough,the mosque was constructed through engraving the rocks, which gave the building an authentic characteristics and made it unique n Turkey.
Ulu Mosque (Ermenek): The mosque is located at Ermenek, Yukarı Çarşı neighbourhood, Gülpazar District.It is among the most ancient and biggest Karamanoğulları structures of the city. It was constructed by Mehmet Bey, son of Kerimüddin Karaman Bey in 1302.
Meydan Mosque (Ermenek): At Ermenek, Meydan District, the mosque, though a small structure, is of high interest with its dome and minaret.
Its mihrap made up of stone and its minber decorated with stone masonry are authentic. The minaret on the direction of the entrance is not a part of the complex. Although the date of construction is not known, it is estimated that the building was restored in XVth century.
Sipas Mosque (Ermenek): The mosque is located at , Ermenek, Çınarlısu District. It was constructed by Ebulfeth Alaaddin Halil Bey, son of Bedreddin Mahmud Bey during Karamanoğulları Period ( mids of XIVth century). There is an inscription indicating that it was restored in 1850.
Tol Medresseh (Ermenek): The building was constructed by Ruler Emir Musa of Karamanoğulları Domain in 1339. One of the tombs was embroidered with turquoise tiles of hexagonal and triangular motifs. These were the authentic samples of Karamanoğulları art of plaster and tile decoration.
Maden Şehri (BinbirChurch, Center): Madenşehri is a palce of settlement founded on the hills of Karadağ 50km from northern Karaman. Madenşehri was perched on historical ruins known as Binbir Church. Büyük Kilise ( Big Church), the first building on the west of the entrance of the village, was constructed by hewn stones. Located in the north of the city, Çanlı Church today has been in the shape of ruins. In the middle of the city, there is a graveyard, the foot side of which is directed towards the Mecca. Madenşehri has been declared as a settlement of residence.
Değle (Center): Located on the highest peaks of Karadağ, Değle ruin areas include six Byzantium Churches and epitaphs which have all been collapsed today. Değle is among the places that Saint Paulus (St. Paul)have lived during his life time.
Derbe (Center): It is located at Ekinözü ( Aşıran) Village, 27 km to Karaman. There are the remnants of ancient cities and churches. The church is said to have been the first Christian Church that was constructed 14 years before the Church of Virgin Mary in Ephesus.
Kızıl Mosque (Center): At Yollarbaşı Borough, Topraklık location, the mosque is a ruined building.It was one of the most important centers of worship together with Binbir Church during Byzantine Period.
Çeşmeli Mosque (Center): It is located at Topucak District in Karaman. It was constructed in refrence to Binbir Church's small basilicas in Karadağ. Although the date of construction is not known, it is estimated to have been built during Byzantine period.
İnöğlesi Rock Monastery (Ermenek): This rock monastery on the southwest slopes of the Yumrutepe Mountain in the east of Ermeneğ belonged to the early Christian period.
HIGH PLATEAUS
The plateaus of the province is used for pasturage purposes for the live stock of the villagers, especially in spring season. Because of their water springs, clean air, natural beauty, the convenience for pasturage for live stock and being a transition region to the Mediterranean Region, especially the plateaus at the Ermenek Region are the preferred frequent visiting places for local and foreign tourists for the purposes of trekking, local food and beverage varieties, natural mineral water and promenade areas.
Bridges
GörmelBridge: It is one of the most beautiful works that Karamanoğulları left. It is in Ermenek. The bridge, of 27 m. of height and 4.70 m. of width, is erected on two arcades and was constructed by Halil Bey, the son of Karamanoğlu Mahmut Bey.
KaramanBridge: It is in Ayrancı district and one of the works of Karamanoğlu.
SelavatBridge: It is on Göksu river, in Göçer village, Karaman and was constructed during the period of Karamanoğlu. Its height is approximately 12m and its width is 3m.
Ak Bridge: It is in Yeşildere town, on İbrala brook stream and belongs to the period of Karamanoğlu.
CASTLES
KaramanCastle: It is constructed by Seljuks, in 12th century and composed of ramparts one inside the other. Today, inner castle still exists and it is one of the most conspicious castles of our country.
ErmenekCastle: Castle was used as refuge, house and dungeon. Naturally, there are caves in the castle. It is the first castle of Karamanoğulları and it is in the middle of a big rock covering the north of Ermenek.
MennanCastle: It is in Ermenek and it means refuge. The castle is constructed on a perpendicular mountain with slippery rocks. When Osmanlı Gedik Ahmet Paşa got the castle from Karamanoğulları with a tricky way, Pir Ahmet Bey committed a suicide in that castle.
İlisıraCastle: It is in İmirme, Yollarbaşı town in Karaman and it belongs to the ancient Byzance period. The castle is composed of the ruins and is also known as LYSTRA CASTLE. There was a church around it belonging to Byzance.
DivleCastle: It is in Divle (Üç Harman) village, in Ayrancı district, Karaman. The castle is like an apartment and has many floors. The settlement is inside the caves and actively used during the periods of Seljuks, Karamanoğulları and Ottomans.
Gaferiyet Kalesi: It is in Kazımkarabekir district. In the past, Gaferiyat was surrounded with a castle, but when the people began to use the stones of the castle to build their own houses, this situation gave harm to the castle. Today, it has only one entrance.
CAVES
HışlayıkCave
Location: Karaman, Ayrancı District
Properties: After a 26 meter steep descend from a shaft, the underground river is reached. After a certain period of surface flow, the river disappears after a siphon. The cave continues after passing a lot of siphons.
MUSEUMS
Karaman Museum The local archeological and ethnographic findings are exhibited at the museum.
Address: İmaret Quarter, Turgut Özal Avenue, Telephone: (+90-338) 213 15 36
Open hours to visit: 08.00 - 12.00 / 13.00 - 17.00.
Geography
The province is located at the south of Central Anatolian Region. The neighboring provinces are Konya at north, Mersin at south, Ereğli and Silifke at east and Antalya at west. The altitude from the sea level is 1033 meters. The general characteristic of the Karaman province is plains. The small lakes and water channels constructed in the recent years had brought vigor to the agricultural activities. The cereals and industrial plantation is cultivated in the plains of Karaman province. The summer seasons at the province is hot and dry while the winter seasons are cold and precipitant. The average precipitation amount is 350 mm.
History
The certain foundation date of Karaman province is not known. As a result of the archeological excavations, the oldest settlement findings about the Karaman province and its vicinity is determined to be after the year of BC 8000. The province had become a military and commerce center during the period of the Hittite civilization and had entered the reign of Frig and Lydia civilization. The province had been the capital of the Karamanoğlu State which was founded after the weakening of the Anatolian Seljuk State.
What to Buy
The wooden engraving craftsmanship, carpentry and furniture making are very common. Also embroidery and pinking crafts are very common among the women of the region. Therefore, carpets (Taşkale, Şirvan, Koraş carpets) and hand crafts are favorite souvenirs of the region.
Don't Leave Without
- Visiting Binbir Churches, Aktekke Mosque, Yunus Emre Mosque and Karaman Castle.
- Visiting Karaman Museum,
- Shopping in the Zeyve Bazaar,
Sites
Registered Immobile Cultural and Natural Heritages in Karaman
Sites
Archaeological Sites: 48
Urban Sites: 3
Natural Sites: 5
Historical Sites: 3
Other Sites
Archaeological and Natural Sites: 1
Archaeological and Urban Sites: 1
Historical and Urban Sites: 1
Total: 62
Cultural (at Single Construction Scale) and Natural
Heritages: 299
TOTAL: 361
Contact Information
Provincial Cultural Directorate
Tel: (338) 212 44 23
Fax: (338) 212 88 34
Museum
Karaman Museum Detailed Information Address: Hatuniye Med. Arkası - Karaman
Tel: (338) 213 15 36
Governorship : (+90-338) 213 10 12
Municipality : (+90-338) 213 21 25
Hospital : (+90-338) 212 95 61
Police : (+90-338) 212 10 42
Gendarme : (+90-338) 311 20 24
Provincial Directorate : (+90-338) 212 67 41
Tourism Information Office : (+90-338) 212 67 41
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