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Karaman, once the capital of the Karamanid
Emirate, was the first Turkish state to use
Turkish instead of Persian as its official
language. Fittingly, Yunus Emre, the first
great poet to write in Turkish, lived here in
the 13th century. The surrounding fortresses
date from Seljuk times, although the town's
most significant buildings, the Araboglu,
Yunus Emre and Aktekke Mosques and the
Hatuniye Medrese, were all built during the
Karamanid reign.
The Region of 1001 Churches, the Karaman
region, 150 kilometers from Konya is an
undiscovered, mystical land of gently rolling
hills and valleys, towering mountains, many
monasteries, churches and chapel-complexes. It
is a paradise for photographers, walkers,
nature-lovers and explorers. The Hittites
settled in this region and many remains,
including inscriptions have been discovered.
One of the highest mountains in this region,
Mt Karadag (2,288 meters),is locally called
Mahalac; its ancient name is Angel Michael. On
top of the mountain, Hittites constructed a
temple; an altar where inscriptions remain.
There are also the 4th century remains of a
monastery, church and a chapel complex; the
name of this complex was the Angel Michael
Complex. There is a beautiful view here.
Visitors can still see the remains of churches
and chapels at Madensehir, 45 km from Karaman,
on the northern slope of Mt. Karadag.
Derbe, 30 km north of Karaman, was an
important early Christian settlement; St. Paul
came here to preach. Near Taskale, 48 km east
of Karaman, on the rocky northern slope of
Yesildere Valley, are the remains of the
fascinating historical city of Manazan. Built
during Byzantine times, the entire city of
narrow lanes, houses, squares, storage
facilities, chapels and cemeteries (occupying
an area approximately three kilometers long
and five stories high) was carved into the
rocky hillside of the valley. Today, parts of
the city are still used for wheat storage.
South of Karaman up a steep narrow road are
the remains of a beautiful Byzantine monastery
Alahan. Much still stands, and there is some
fine stone carving to admire. This magnificent
location offers a breathtaking view. |
