Gaziantep
From Turkey Travel Guide
Gaziantep is a city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. As one of the first settlements in Anatolia, Gaziantep is the sixth largest city in Turkey and the biggest city in the Southeastern Anatolia Region.
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[edit] History
Gaziantep is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It was controlled by Akkadians, Egyptians, Mitannis, Hittites, Neo-Hittites, Assyrians, Urartians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Armenians, Parthians, Commagene, Romans, Byzantines, Sassanids, and Arabs. After the Battle of Marj Dabiq in 1516, Ottomans conquered the city. Gaziantep was called "Aintab" back then and it was a sanjak (region) center in Dulkadir State (1516-1818) and Aleppo (1908–1918). During the World War I, the French tried to capture Gaziantep, but failed. After the Treaty of Lausanne was signed in 1923, it was returned to Turkish control.
Originally known as Antep, the city received the honour title "gazi" which means veteran in Turkish, in 1921, because of its extraordinary courage during the Turkish War of Independence.
[edit] Navigation
Located in south-central Turkey, Gaziantep's neighbour cities are Adıyaman at north, Şanlıurfa at east, Syria and Kilis at south, Hatay at southwest, Osmaniye at west and Kahramanmaraş at northwest.
[edit] Getting there
[edit] By plane
There's an airport in Gaziantep, 15km to the city center. There's transportation available via taxis or shuttle services Havaş (Havash) which is cheaper than cabs.
[edit] By train
There's a train station in Gaziantep but for train availability you should check Turkish railways' schedule [1].
[edit] By car
Gaziantep has easy access through highway connections.
[edit] By bus
The bus station (otogar) is located a few kilometers out of the city but local public buses or shuttle services of bus companies run in between.
[edit] By boat
No sea connection avaliable via Gaziantep.
[edit] Getting around
[edit] By car
The traffic code for Gaziantep is 27. Driving in and around the town is easy and recommended to see the historical places around the city.
[edit] By public transport
There are public buses run by the city and they're very cheap.
[edit] By foot
The city center is easy to walk. Especially if you'd like to visit shops and old bazaars.
[edit] By bike
[edit] Weather
Gaziantep has a rough continental climate. Winter times are cold (-10 °C measured) while in summer time, often more than 40 °C are measured. In July and August, average temperature is 35°C. It is recommended to visit Gaziantep in the late Spring or in Autumn when it's still warm and sunny.
(°F)
(46)
(49)
(57)
(68)
(78)
(88)
(96)
(96)
(88)
(76)
(61)
(49)
(°F)
(31)
(32)
(37)
(46)
(54)
(63)
(70)
(69)
(61)
(51)
(40)
(34)
(inches)
(3.7)
(3.5)
(2.8)
(2.0)
(1.2)
(0.2)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.3)
(1.6)
(2.8)
(3.7)
[edit] See
Hasan Suzer Ethnography Museum has the old life style decoration and collections of various weapons, documents, instruments used in the defense of the city as well as the photographs of local resistance heroes.
Yesemek Open Air Museum is located in the village known by the same name, close to Islahiye District of Gaziantep. It is the largest open air sculpture workshop in the Near East and the ruins in the area date back to Hittites.
The remains of the old city of Belkis (Zeugma) are located in Kavunlu village which is 10 kilometers away from Nizip district of Gaziantep. These remains date back to the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times.
Rumkale settlement is another historical location with the remains dating back to the Hittites.
Karkamis was an important centre of arts and culture in the past and it's located on the Syrian border. It's the place of the famous Legend of Gilgamesh.
[edit] Do
Visit the historical inns (called han in Turkish) which are the symbols of the past economic and commercial richness of Gaziantep. Today they (Sira Hani, Kumrulu Han, Yeni Han, Kurkcu Hani, Anadolu Hani, Incioglu Hani, Tuz Hani, Haci Omer Hani) are still functional as trade centers.
If you like shopping in a historical environment you can also go to the old bazaars; Zincirli Bazaar and Kemikli Bazaar. You can find coppersmith works, traditional shoe making, cloth making, stone working, antique weapons, gold and silver works as traditional handicrafts of Gaziantep in these places.
Houses of Gaziantep are worth to visit with rich cultural heritage. They are great samples of traditional architectural featuring Southeastern Anatolia, Mesopotamia and Syria cultures.
[edit] Eat
Gaziantep is famous for its cuisine which is a combination of Arab, Assyrian and Turkish cultures. Its rich variety of dishes include soups, rice meals, kebabs, meatballs, and delicious lahmacun which is a kind of this pizza. The festive dish yuvalama is made of rice and meat rolled into pea-sized balls. As for local desserts, baklava is the most famous.
[edit] Drink
Drink ayran (sour yoghurt mixed with water) while you're eating lahmacun.
[edit] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Allstar Sevcan Hotel is a 3 stars hotel in the city centre with reasonable prices.
[edit] Mid-Range
Novotel Gaziantep is a 4* hotel with 4 suites and 92 rooms.
Asude Konak [2] is a boutique hotel that was built in 1893 and restorated recently. The hotel is located in the center of Gaziantep which is called Şekeroğlu area where you may find many tourist attractions such as Gaziantep Castle, Naib Turkish Bath, Tahtani Mosque, Bakırcılar Bazaar and many more.
Tudyali Butik Hotel [3] is another chic boutique hotel with great comfort.
[edit] Upscale
Grand Hotel Gaziantep [4] is 5* hotel located Ali Fuat Cebesoy Bulvarı, No: 32, only 15km to the airport.
Tuğcan Hotel [5] is 5* hotel with 14 suites and 143 rooms.
Dedeman Gaziantep is also 5 star hotel with 27 suites and 186 rooms.
[edit] Work
Gaziantep has been an important trading center since ancient times. It's one of the major manufacturing zone in Turkey. Gaziantep is a leader producer when it comes to machined carpets. There are hundreds of carpet facilities in the Gaziantep Organized Industrial Zone. It's also one of the most important centers for pistachio production and "Antep" as a part of its name means "pistachio" in English. As an industrial center, Gaziantep has cement, textile, leather, shoemaking, soap, woodworks, metal and machinery industries. For working legally, one needs a valid work permit given by Turkish State.
[edit] Learn
Gaziantep University [6] is an individual full member of European University Association. The main campus is located at Gaziantep with its extention campuses situated in the neighbouring cities and districts of Adiyaman, Kilis, Nizip, Oguzeli, Besni and Gölbasi.
[edit] Keep connected
[edit] Internet
Most of the hotels have wireless internet connection but if not you can find internet cafes located around the town.
[edit] Phone
Phone code for Gaziantep is +90 (342)
[edit] Post
National post office PTT, has branches in the city center where you can find postal services for reasonable prices.
[edit] Safety
For emergency situations you can call 155 or police department (Gaziantep Emniyet Müdürlüğü) [7] at +90-342-230 1830.
[edit] Stay Healthy
Özel Gaziantep Amerikan Hastanesi (Private hospital) [8]- Phone number:+90-342-220 0211.
Av. Cengiz Gökçek Gaziantep Devlet Hastanesi (State hospital) is located in Şahinbey borough of Gaziantep. Phone number: +90-342-221 0700.
Gaziantep 25 Aralık Devlet Hastanesi (State hospital) is located at Sarı Güllük Mahallesi, Fevzi Çakmak Bulvarı, Şehit Kamil and can be reached via phone number +90-342-338 1731.
Gaziantep Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi (University hospital)[9] is located on Üniversite Bulvarı with the phone number +90-342-360 6060.
Özel Medical Park Gaziantep Hastanesi (Private hospital chain) [10]-Phone number: +90-342-323 6262.
Tam-Med Özel Hastane (Private hospital) [11] is located on İnönü Caddesi, No.156 with the phone number +90-342-252 5252.
[edit] Books
[edit] External links
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