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Karaman is settled in the south of
central Anatolia and among the provinces of Konya-İçel and
Antalya. It has 9590 square kilometers, at an altitude of 1033
meters. Findings in the excavations show that settlement began in
8000 B.C. ın the period of Hittites it was an important military
and commercial center. After that was fell into the hands by
Fridyes ,Lidyasand Greeks. It was named “Larende” in the
period of Seljuk’s and Ottoman Turks. It becamed the capital of
Karamanid reign in 1256 and it took the name of Karaman. In 1500
Karaman region became a part of the Ottoman Empire during this
time it was an important , an active commercial and a cultural
center. The city has a lot of historical and touristy treasures
which can be improved.
It was built in the 12. century by
Seljuk’s and it was restored in the period of Karamanid reign.
It has been made up of three sections. But today inner castle is
still standing on the hill. Its environment was prepared
recently.
BINBIR
CHURCHES:
It is 30 km far from Karaman and located
on the northern slope of mt. Karadağ and Değle village. It was
an important religious center of Christians. St. Paul, apostles
of Jesus and his friend Barnabas came here to preach. In this
area a lot of churches were built. Most of the churches,cistern
manastries are in ruins, but some parts of these historical
treasures can be seen.
HATUNİYE
MEDRESEH
(NEFİSE
SULTAN)
It is located at the center of the city
and was built by the order of Nefise Sultan who was the wife of
Karamanid Alaaddin. The Medreseh is one of the best samples of
Karamanid architecture hewn stones were used. There is a large
hall in the middle and the student cells are around it. The
medreseh has been restored and still standing can be seen.
YUNUS EMRE MOSQUE - TOMB:
The
mosque was built with cut stones in Karamanid
reign with a central dome. At the last congregational center,
there are small domes both sides and it is covered with a ^roof.
There is a tomb in the west side of the mosque which belongs to
Yunus Emre. It was restored in 1994.
50
km from Karaman on
the way to Yeşildere, Taşkale road. There is a
remains of the fascinating historical city of Manazan on the
rocky northern slope of Yeşildere valley which was built in byzantine period. This cave
is the largest settlement of Turkey. It has three stories. The
first story is named 'kum"
sand, the second
story is named "At"
horse and the third one is named "ölü"
dead. At the entrance there are many graves and many stalactites
and stalagmites in the third story one of them is exhibited at
the
TAŞKALE:
It
is 48 km from Karaman province. It is an authentic village where
the old and new have been integrated that belongs to the Roman an
Byzantine period. Another striking sight at Taşkale is the forty
meters high loaves in the tuff rook to the north of the village
which are used as granaries for barley, wheel and pulses.
Altogether there are 251 caves. Mostly formed of two chambers.
Due the currents of air through the caves and constant
atmospheric conditions through every season. Simple winches with
pulley systems are used to fill empty them.
MARASPOLIS CAVE: (ERMENEK)
It
is located under the mountains in the northern part of Ermenek
town. There is an underground river in the cave. Drinking water
of the town and its surrounding villages has been obtained from
this river. There are many stalagmites and stalactites in the
cave. The cave has two entrances, one is from upper and another
from tunnel. Also this underground river is used to obtain
electricity of the town. Inn investigators of American, Italy and
Germany proved that Maraspolis cave is one of the largest caves
of the world.
ADMINISTRA TIVE DISTRICTS:
The
province Karaman has five administrative districts such as
Ayranci. Ermenek. Sanveliler, Ba^yayla and KazimKarabekir.
ERMENEK:
It has very old history. Some civilizations can be seen in the
town. It is 163km from Karaman and located on the southern
slope of the Touros mountains. Its economic situation is based on
forestry and agriculture, coal mine is very important for the
economi of the town. The town has some historical and touristic
treassures like these; Tol Medreseh, Maraspolis Cave, Gormel
Bridge. Zeyve Bazaar. The twin relief in Guneyyurt.
KAZIM KARABEKiR:
It is 22 km from Karaman and located
on the highway of Karaman-Konya. Its economy is based on
agriculture but in the town. The big food industry is being
established by Kombassan Company. This establishment will bring
happiness to the town in the future, cultural and social life
will be improved. Ulu mosque which belongs to Seljuk’s period
can be visited. Kazim Karabekir pasha who was the commander of
the eastern part of Turkey during the war of independence was
born in this town for that reason the town was called with his
name.
AYRANCI:
56
km far from Karaman and located on the way to Eregli highway. Its
economic situation is based on agriculture. There are a lot of
historical and touristy places which can be seen. These are
Divie Castle. Divie Inn. Sidamara sarcophagus etc.
It
is 204 km far from Karaman and located on the southern slope of
the Tauros mountains. The economic situation of the town is based
on agriculture, apple and cherry mostly are grown. There are some
stone graves which can be seen in Roman and Byzantine period. The
town has some high plateaus that very important for tourism.
SARIVELILER:
It
is 212 km from Karaman and located on the slope of the Tauros
Mountains. The products of forest and fruit are very important
for the economy of the town. Every year honey festival is
organized in the town.