Photo: Bedir.m (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 4 places to visit in the Feke district of Adana: Feke Castle (Vahka Castle), Kara Church and Göksu River. Plan your trip to Feke with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Feke is a district of Adana province, about 122 km from Adana. The district covers 1,218 km² and has an average elevation of 555 metres above sea level. Its altitude is 557 metres.
From ancient times to the present, Feke has been a settlement for many peoples and states. It fell to the Persians in the 6th century BC and to Alexander the Great in 333 BC. It was taken by the Ottoman state during Yavuz Sultan Selim’s Egypt campaign in 1517.
Feke was ruled in succession by the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Romans and the Byzantines. After the First World War, Kaymakam Şeref Bey armed the people to begin the struggle to defend Feke. Feke was liberated in March 1920 when forces under Arap Ali entered the town. The people of Feke celebrate 22 March every year as Liberation Day.
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Photo: Bedir.m (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source A medieval castle on the steep rock above the district, which during the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia period controlled the Göksu valley and the mountain roads. The climb to the castle is steep, but the valley views are worth it.
View on mapA Byzantine-period church a few kilometres from Feke Castle, named after its dark stone walls.
View on mapThe Göksu, one of the main tributaries of the Seyhan, flows through the district and forms a wooded valley. Picnic areas on the riverbank are ideal for cooling off in the summer months.
View on mapThe plateaus on the Taurus slopes offer the traditional life of families who migrate there in summer and the cool mountain air.
View on mapWhile you are in Feke, you can also see the highlights of Adana province. These places are in other districts.
This traditional dish is made by boiling cracked wheat and meat for hours and then pounding them together. In Feke's mountain villages it is the crowning dish of wedding and festival tables. It is served with butter.
Tarhana dough, prepared and dried in the summer months, is eaten as a hot soup in winter. A staple of Feke's harsh winter tables, this soup offers a rich flavour of yoghurt and spices.
This local soup is made by adding a mixture of flour and yoghurt to chicken broth and is served with shredded chicken meat. It is a staple of winter tables in the mountain villages of the Taurus.
This traditional bread, baked on a griddle over a wood fire, is an inseparable part of Feke's plateau culture. It is eaten at breakfast with fresh butter, pekmez or honey.
Held every October on Indere Village Plateau, this festival is in memory of the folk poet Karacaoğlan. It is a colourful event with folk music concerts, traditional competitions and local product exhibitions.
The migration of lowland people to the Feke plateaus during the summer months is a centuries-old tradition. This seasonal migration forms an important part of the region's livestock and farming culture.
Feke has hosted many civilisations, from the Hittites to Byzantium, and from the Armenian Kingdom to the Ottomans. This rich historical heritage forms the basis of the district's cultural identity.
The economy of Feke rests mainly on agriculture, livestock farming and forestry. Small livestock and beekeeping dominate in the mountainous terrain, while grain, walnuts and fruit are grown in the valleys. Forestry activities also make an important contribution to the district's economy. In recent years, with the growing recognition of Feke Castle and the natural beauty of the area, cultural tourism has begun to develop.
Feke is about 122 km from Adana city centre and is reached by road. The nearest airport is Çukurova International Airport, on the border of Tarsus district in Mersin. Regular minibus services run from Adana's intercity bus terminal to Feke. The district lies at an altitude of 620 metres at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, so road conditions should be checked in winter.
The highlights of Feke are 4 places: Feke Castle (Vahka Castle), Kara Church, Göksu River and Feke Plateaus.
Keşkek, Tarhana Çorbası, Arabaşı Çorbası and Sacda Bazlama are the standout flavours on Feke's tables.
Feke is known for its Mountain Honey and the Karacaoğlan Culture and Arts Festival. Mountain honey, made from the rich flora growing in Feke's forested mountains, is the most valued natural product of the region. Produced by traditional beekeeping methods, this honey is known for its thyme and pine aromas.
Feke is about 122 km from Adana city centre and is reached by road. The nearest airport is Çukurova International Airport, on the border of Tarsus district in Mersin. Regular minibus services run from Adana's intercity bus terminal to Feke. The district lies at an altitude of 620 metres at the foot of the Taurus Mountains, so road conditions should be checked in winter.
Suggested trip length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: May–October.