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Kahramanmaraş: a city at the crossroads of civilizations

Kahramanmaraş is one of those Turkish cities where history isn't just written in textbooks — it's felt at every turn. Situated at an altitude of 568 meters above sea level at the foot of the Ahir Mountains, for centuries it served as a crossroads of trade routes connecting Anatolia with Syria and Mesopotamia. Today it is a major city with a population of over half a million, where ancient ruins stand alongside bustling bazaars, and traditional ice cream making has become a genuine theatrical performance.

The city was known by its historical name Maraş for millennia. In 1975, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey added the prefix "Kahraman" — "Hero" — in memory of the residents' resistance against the French occupation in 1920. The Battle of Maraş became the first major victory of Turkish forces in the War of Independence, and this legacy has shaped the city's modern identity.

Ancient Germanicia beneath the modern city

Few people know that an entire ancient city lies beneath the streets of Kahramanmaraş. In 2007, during illegal excavations in the Dulkadiroğlu district, Germanicia Caesarea was discovered — a Roman city named after Emperor Germanicus. Archaeologists found mosaics from the 1st–3rd centuries that once adorned the floors of wealthy citizens' villas. Aerial photographs from 1948 showed 17 structures and a tumulus, but decades of uncontrolled development buried most of the ancient city under modern buildings.

Today, an archaeological park has been created at the excavation site, where visitors can see restored mosaics and fragments of Roman structures. Germanicia was an important provincial center of the Roman Empire in Cilicia, and after the Arab conquests in the 7th century it became a border outpost. The city changed hands repeatedly — Byzantines, Seljuks, Crusaders, Mamluks — until in 1515 Sultan Selim I finally incorporated it into the Ottoman Empire.

Maraş Castle and the historic bazaar

In the center of Kahramanmaraş rises Maraş Castle (Maraş Kalesi) — a fortress on a rocky hill whose walls remember the Hittites and Assyrians. Although the current structure dates from the medieval period (the Dulkadir beylik and Ottoman era), its foundations go back millennia. Inside the castle, a deep rock-cut cistern and an underground prison are carved into the rock. During the 1920 occupation, the castle once again proved its strategic value — it served as an observation post for resistance fighters.

Adjacent to the castle stretches the historic bazaar — one of the oldest continuously operating markets in Turkey. For centuries, silk and cotton were traded here, and today you can buy handcrafted copper trays and Maraş knives (Maraş Bıçağı) with bone handles — traditional weapons of shepherds and hunters, known for their sharpness and durability. The bazaar has preserved traditional hans (caravanserais) and bedestens (covered markets) where merchants once stopped on the route from Anatolia to Syria.

Maraş ice cream: a theatrical performance on every corner

Kahramanmaraş is known worldwide primarily for Maraş Dondurması — Maraş ice cream that doesn't melt and stretches like chewing gum. The secret lies in two ingredients: salep — flour made from wild orchid tubers — and mastic (sakız) — resin from the mastic tree. The mixture is beaten for a long time with wooden paddles, minimizing air incorporation, which gives the ice cream its dense, elastic texture.

But the main show is the serving. Street ice cream vendors are true performers: they tease customers, extending the ice cream on a long stick and at the last moment replacing it with a fake. This theatrical ritual has become the city's calling card and attracts tourists from all over Turkey. The production of Maraş ice cream has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of the region.

Culinary traditions: pepper, cheese, and walnut jam

Kahramanmaraş is the capital of Turkish gastronomy alongside Gaziantep and Urfa. Here they produce Maraş pepper (Maraş Biberi) — dark red pepper with high oil content, sun-dried with salt, which gives it a smoky, roasted aroma. Its heat measures 15,000–25,000 Scoville units — a moderately hot pepper with a rich flavor added to meat dishes, soups, and appetizers.

Another point of pride is Maraş Sıkma cheese (Maraş Sıkma Peyniri), a traditional high-fat hard cheese kneaded by hand from cow's or sheep's milk. It is stored in brine and sliced thin before serving. For dessert, try Orcik Şekeri — walnut jam made by stringing walnuts on a thread and repeatedly dipping them in thickened grape molasses with starch. The result is a shiny, chewy candy made only in this region.

Geography and climate: mountains, rivers, and plains

Kahramanmaraş Province covers 14,520 km² — making it one of the largest provinces in the Mediterranean region. The northern territories are mountainous: the spurs of the Southeastern Taurus range stretch here, with elevations varying from 350 to 3,000 meters. The main waterway is the Ceyhan River, originating in the Elbistan plain mountains.

Despite its Mediterranean location, Kahramanmaraş's climate differs from the typical coastal pattern. Due to continental influence and altitude, summers here are hot and dry, while winters are cold and snowy. This creates unique conditions for agriculture: cotton, grapes, and peppers are grown on the plains, while sheep and goats graze in the mountains.

Thermal springs: wellness since Roman times

Kahramanmaraş is famous for its thermal springs, which have been used for healing since the Roman Empire. The Sütçüler and Güneşli resorts offer mineral-rich waters for treating musculoskeletal disorders, skin conditions, and rheumatic problems. Water temperatures at the springs reach 40–60°C, and their healing properties have been known for over two thousand years.

Tourists come here not only for treatment but also to see how a traditional Turkish bath (hammam) is arranged in its historical context. Many hotels and spa centers around Kahramanmaraş offer wellness programs using thermal water and local herbs.

City districts: center to outskirts

Modern Kahramanmaraş is divided into two main urban districts: Dulkadiroğlu on the eastern riverbank and Onikişubat on the western bank. Dulkadiroğlu is home to the historic part of the city — the castle, bazaar, and mosques. Onikişubat is a more modern district with a university, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods.

The city was severely affected by the earthquake of February 6, 2023 with a magnitude of 7.8. The epicenter was in the province, and more than 50,000 people lost their lives. Currently, Kahramanmaraş is actively rebuilding, with new structures designed for seismic resilience. Despite the tragedy, the city continues to live and welcome visitors.

Kahramanmaraş today: economy and transport

Kahramanmaraş remains an important industrial center in southeastern Turkey. The textile industry (with centuries-old silk and cotton production traditions), food processing, and mechanical engineering are well developed here. Local enterprises produce not only the famous ice cream but also Maraş pepper, which is exported worldwide.

The city is connected to the rest of Turkey by air (Kahramanmaraş Airport) and rail. Bus services link it to Adana, Gaziantep, and Istanbul. For tourists, Kahramanmaraş serves as a convenient base for trips to Cappadocia (about 3 hours by car) or the Mediterranean coast.

What the cameras show

Live webcams of Kahramanmaraş let you see the city in real time: from central squares and the historic bazaar to residential neighborhoods and mountain landscapes. Choose a stream to check the weather before your trip, observe local life, or simply soak in the atmosphere of this unique city. Cameras in the center show activity around Maraş Castle, while those on the outskirts offer views of the Ahir Mountains and the plains surrounding Kahramanmaraş.