Sights in Gaziantep (Antep)
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Kale
Get your bearings of the urban sprawl you're going to embrace by climbing up the unmissable castle. The citadel is thought to have been constructed by the Romans. It was restored by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, and rebuilt extensively by the Seljuks in the 12th and 13th centuries. The interior of the castle contains the grandiosly named Gaziantep Defence and Heroism Panoramic Museum, a tribute to the men and women who bravely defended the city in 1920. Life-size statues of generals, soldiers and ordinary people bring alive the city's tenacious struggle against the French. Comprehensive information panels are in English.
The quarter at the foot of the citadel ha…
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Gaziantep Museum
The place to see some of the most magnificent mosaics in the world, the Gaziantep Museum has been spruced up, expanded and rearranged. Even if the idea of an archeology museum usually sends you to sleep, this place will amaze you with its collection of the many mosaics unearthed at the rich Roman site of Belkıs-Zeugma, just before the new Birecik Dam flooded some of the site forever.
It's impossible not to fall in love with the Gipsy Girl, from the 2nd century AD, reportedly the museum's highlight - we agree. Make also a beeline for the famous Scene of Achilles being sent to the Trojan War.
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Hasan Süzer Ethnography Museum
Occupying a restored 200-year-old Gaziantep stone house tucked away in a side street off Atatürk Bulvarı, this museum is well worth a visit. A central hayat (courtyard) patterned with light and dark stone provides access to the rooms. Those on the ground floor were for service; those on the 1st floor made up the selamlık (quarters for male family members and their visitors); and those on the 2nd floor made up the haremlik (for female family members and their visitors).
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Kendirli KiIisesi
Wedged between modern buildings smack in the centre, this church is a startling vision. It was constructed by French priests with the help of Napoleon III in 1860. Seen from a distance, the building looks quite featureless, but a closer inspection reveals a number of eye-catching decorative elements, including black-and-white medallions.
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100 Yil Atatürk Kültür Parkı
If you're all market-ed and museum-ed out, this park is within spitting distance of Gaziantep's traffic-snarled main thoroughfares. It's a lovely space in the middle of the city and provides a green haven for nature lovers, families and courting 20-somethings. There are also a couple of good places for a relaxed sunset beer.
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Kurtuluş Camii
Kurtuluş Camii is the most impressive of Gaziantep's many mosques, and is built on a small hill off the main thoroughfare. Initially constructed as a cathedral in 1892, it features alternating black-and-white stone banding.
Another mosque worth admiring is the Alaüddevle Camii, near the Coppersmiths' Market. Many other Gaziantep mosques have been recently restored, and are detailed on the Gaziantep History & Culture Road map available from the tourist office.
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Alaüddevle Camii
This mosque found near the Coppersmith's Market, is worth admiring.
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Şıra Hanı
On the southwestern edge of the bazaar, the beautifully restored Şıra Hanı is the location for the stylish Sahan restaurant.
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Mevlevihane Vakıf Müzesi
This interesting museum focuses on the Mevlevi Sufis (a dervish order), with various artworks, kilims (pileless woven rugs), manuscripts, clothing worn by the Mevlevi and other dervish paraphernalia. Panels are in English.
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Gaziantep Museum & Zeugma Kültür ve Müze Merkezi
Even if the idea of an archaeology museum would usually send you to sleep, the Gaziantep Museum will amaze you with its collection of the many mosaics unearthed at the rich Roman site of Belkıs-Zeugma, just before the new Birecik Dam flooded some of the site forever. It's impossible not to fall in love with the Gypsy Girl, from the 2nd century AD, the museum's highlight. Also make a beeline for the famous Scene of Achilles being sent to the Trojan War.
All the mosaics are due to be transferred to a new museum called Zeugma Kültür ve Müze Merkezi, which should have opened behind the railway station by the time you read this. The current museum will then focus on archaeo…
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Gaziantep City Museum
Gaziantep's excellent new city museum is housed in the wonderfully restored Bayazhan – where traders and their camels used to stay the night. Lots of interactive displays and foreign-language audioguides steer visitors through everything from the story of baklava to Gaziantep's history of shoemaking. After some mental sustenance, relax with a tea or coffee in the Bayazhan's courtyard cafe.
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Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum
Concealed in a narrow lane under the citadel, this newly opened museum provides both information and inspiration before you begin exploring Gaziantep's terrific eateries. Excellent English-language translations and the occasional local treat cooked up by the on-site chef are key ingredients in the museum's successful recipe.
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Bakircilar Çarşisi
South of the kale is Gaziantep's rambling and labyrinthine bazaar area, which includes the Zincirli Bedesten(Coppersmiths' Market) , now fully restored and full of tap-tap-tap metalworkers and makers of handmade shoes. It's touristy – though definitely with a small 't' – so keep exploring (and getting lost occasionally) to find excellent food markets with mini-mountains of multicoloured spices and graceful garlands of dried chillies. South of the Zincirli Bedesten, in the Elmacı Pazarı area, you'll find the original Güllüoğlu baklava shop. Get there around 8am when the famous pastries are still warm.
For a coffee break, seek out Tahmis Kahvesi, possibly the most a…
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