Karaman

Understand

Karaman stands at an altitude of 1000 m on the fertile plateau of central Anatolia. Its livelihood has always depended on agriculture and today it's a major centre for durum wheat (which is ground up to make bulgur), for pulses and fruit, and for biscuits and other confectionery. In ancient times it was known as Laranda (Greek: Λάρανδα) and many invaders thought it was worth seizing, including the Roman / Byzantine Empire. But the fellow who most put his stamp on the city was Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey, Mehmet the 1st, who in 1256 founded a Karamid dynasty and something of a buffer state in this turbulent region. He briefly held Konya and famously proclaimed Turkish as the official language, not Persian or Arabic. He was soon hunted down by his enemies but the Karamid state continued until 1468, when it was conquered by the Ottomans. The regional capital moved to Konya, and Karaman became a dusty neglected place, which meant that its medieval centre was left intact.

Get around

Walking will get you to all points of interest within the city. Dolmuses ply all the main streets.

You need your own transport for the caves and canyons beyond the city, or join an organised tour, or negotiate a taxi to take you out there for a few hours.

See

(Hisar or Karaman Kalesi), on a knoll in town centre, was probably built in the 11th or 12th century by the Byzantine Empire. It was captured by the Seljuks of Anatolia, Karamanids and finally the Ottomans, who restored it in 1465. The castle consists of three concentric ramparts, with the innermost being the citadel. Until the mid-20th century much of the town of Karaman was still enclosed within the outermost ramparts. All those buildings have since been demolished and the entire area is now a public park. Aktekke Mosque (100 m east of the museum at 52 Ismet Paşa Cd) was built in 1370; it holds the tombs of the mother and other members of the family of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-73), founder of the Dervishes. The mosque is open daily 07:00-21:00. Karaman Tanıtım Merkez at 3 İsmet Paşa Cd is a separate small museum in an Ottoman house, open daily 09:00-17:00. Yunus Emre Mosque holds the tomb of Emre the poet and Sufi mystic (1238–1328). It's at Yunus Emre Cd 22. at İmaret 70 was built in 1433, part of a complex with a public soup-kitchen, İmaret. at Mansurdede 73 is a traditional Ottoman house that may be open to visit. at Koçakdede 344 is another charming Ottoman house.

Do

Hamams in town remain closed in early 2021. Gyms and fitness centres remain closed in 2021. Turkish World Culture Park is the grandiose name for the park, sports fields and picnic area off D715 at the south edge of town. Barbecues are permitted. Football: only for the die-hard fan, Karamanspor play soccer down in the minor leagues. Their home ground is Kemal Kaynaş Stadium, capacity 2250. It's next to the railway station so you might be tempted to hop on the train and watch nearby Konyaspor, who play in Süper Lig, the country's top tier.