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4 places to visit in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay: Reyhanlı Çarşısı (Reyhanlı Bazaar), Amik Ovası Manzaraları (Views of the Amik Plain) and Yenişehir Gölü (Yenişehir Lake). Plan your trip to Reyhanlı with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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History

Reyhanlı was previously known as İrtah, meaning “resting place”. It was usually a small town inhabited by a few Arab tribes. From the 16th century, Turkmen tribes who came as nomads from the Rey region settled in the town. In 1855, Caucasian and Cypriot migrants brought from Rumelia were settled in the town. Reyhanlı became a district in 1939. The childhood of Cemil Meriç, one of Turkish literature’s leading figures, was spent in this town.

Economy

The economy is generally dominated by agriculture, and the drying of Lake Amik in 1972 increased the importance of cotton and wheat farming. The district has agriculture-based industrial facilities such as cotton ginning, pressing and yarn factories.

History and Culture

Reyhanlı became a district in 1939. In 1067, the Karakhanid prince Hanoğlu Harun took the Artah and Imma castles in Reyhanlı from the Byzantines. The Cilvegözü Border Gate is located in Reyhanlı district. Atchana Mound is the remains of the ancient city of Alalah.

Highlights

Reyhanlı District was called Inta until the early 16th century. On 7 July 1939, by Law No. 3711 passed by the TBMM, Hatay became a province and Reyhanlı a district. Ceremonies are held every year on 8 July in commemoration of the entry of Turkish troops into Reyhanlı.

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Places to Visit in Reyhanlı

  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature
  • 1 Other
Reyhanlı Bazaar - Reyhanlı Photo: Nicoleon (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source
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Reyhanlı Çarşısı (Reyhanlı Bazaar)

The commercial area in the district centre where the weekly market is set up.

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Nature

Amik Ovası Manzaraları (Views of the Amik Plain)

The wide agricultural plain surrounding the district.

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Nature

Yenişehir Gölü (Yenişehir Lake)

One of the natural beauties worth seeing in Reyhanlı district.

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Ancient City

Atchana (Açana) Höyüğü (Atchana (Açana) Mound)

On the right-hand side of the Antakya–Reyhanlı highway, at the 22nd kilometre. Foundation remains of the Yarim-Lim and Nigme-Pa palaces and a temple, dating from the 15th and 19th centuries BC, can be found here.

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Places to Visit Around Hatay Province

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While you are in Reyhanlı, you can also see the highlights of Hatay province. These places are in other districts.

  • Hatay Archaeology Museum — One of the largest mosaic collections in the world, with Roman and Byzantine mosaics excavated from ancient Antioch and its surroundings; founded in the 1930s, the museum moved into its new building in 2014. It is famous for works such as Oceanus and Tethys, the Abandoned Ariadne and the skeleton mosaic.
  • Church of St Peter — A cave church carved into the rock on the western slope of Mount Stauris, 13 metres deep; according to Christian tradition it is where the first Christians of Antioch met in secret, and it is counted among the oldest churches in the world.
  • Habib-i Neccar Mosque — One of the oldest mosques in Antakya; it is believed to have been built on the site of an old temple and church after the Arab conquest of the 7th century.
  • Titus Tunnel — A water tunnel and channel cut into the rock in the Çevlik neighbourhood of Samandağ in the time of the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus (1st century AD) to protect the harbour of ancient Seleucia Pieria from floodwater; it is about 1.4 km long.
  • Harbiye (Daphne) Waterfalls — Small waterfalls and springs flowing among laurel trees at Harbiye, south of Antakya; in antiquity this was Daphne, the sacred grove of the cult of Apollo.
  • Bakras Castle — A medieval castle on a steep hill at Belen, controlling the pass that links Antakya with Cilicia; in the Crusader period it was one of the Knights Templar's important bases.

Practical Information for Visiting Reyhanlı

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn months (March–May, September–November)
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Reyhanlı

Food guide →

  • Reyhanlı Kebabı

    Lamb seasoned with special spices and cooked over charcoal. It is a local kebab and the traditional dish of Reyhanlı.

  • Humus

    Chickpeas mashed with tahini, lemon juice and olive oil. Humus is indispensable on Reyhanlı's meze tables.

  • Künefe

    Fine kadayıf strands layered with fresh cheese, baked and sweetened with syrup. Künefe is also the most loved dessert in Reyhanlı.

  • Tuzda tavuk (chicken cooked in salt)

    A patented dish made in Reyhanlı. The District Governorship counts it among the district's tourism assets.

  • Reyhanlı humusu

    An application for a geographical indication has been made for Reyhanlı humus and white onion. The registration status is not stated in the source.

  • Reyhanlı beyaz soğanı (Reyhanlı white onion)

    A geographical indication is planned for the white onion grown in Reyhanlı.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Reyhanlı

  • Sınır Kültürü (Border Culture)

    Reyhanlı, on the Syrian border, is a meeting point of different cultures. Border trade and cultural interaction with the neighbouring country shape the district's way of life.

Local Products

  • Reyhanlı Zeytinyağı (Reyhanlı olive oil) — Olive oil obtained from the olive groves around the Amik Plain is an important agricultural product of Reyhanlı.
  • Baharat (spices) — Known for its proximity to the Syrian border, Reyhanlı is an important centre for the trade in various spices.

Economy

Reyhanlı's economy rests on agriculture, border trade and services. Olive, grain and vegetable production are the main sources of income. Cilvegözü Border Gate is important for trade.

How to Get to Reyhanlı

Reyhanlı is 50 km from Antakya. The Cilvegözü Border Gate, which opens to Bab el-Hava in Syria, is located in the district. Hatay Airport is about 70 km away.

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Reyhanlı: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Reyhanlı?

The 4 highlights of Reyhanlı: Reyhanlı Bazaar, Views of the Amik Plain, Yenişehir Lake and Atchana (Açana) Mound.

What should I eat in Reyhanlı?

Reyhanlı Kebabı, Humus, Künefe and Tuzda tavuk (chicken cooked in salt) are the standout dishes on Reyhanlı's tables.

What is Reyhanlı famous for?

Reyhanlı is known for Reyhanlı olive oil and its border culture. Olive oil obtained from the olive groves around the Amik Plain is an important agricultural product of Reyhanlı.

How do I get to Reyhanlı?

Reyhanlı is 50 km from Antakya. The Cilvegözü Border Gate, which opens to Bab el-Hava in Syria, is located in the district. Hatay Airport is about 70 km away.

How much time should I allow for a visit to Reyhanlı?

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn months (March–May, September–November).

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