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5 places to visit in the Afşin district of Kahramanmaraş: Eşref Bitlis (Eshab-ı Kehf) Cave, Pir Ali Mosque and Dedebaba Mausoleum. Plan your trip to Afşin with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Afşin is a district of Kahramanmaraş province, with an area of 1,502 km² and an elevation of 1,234 metres. Including its central district, towns and villages, the district’s population was 80,980 according to 2020 TÜİK data. The large Afşin-Elbistan Thermal Power Plant, Türkiye’s largest thermal power complex, is located in the town of Çoğulhan in Afşin.

History

It has been suggested that the city, known in the Roman period as Arabissus or Arabissos, may have been settled during the reign of Emperor Gordianus (234–238) by Arab tribes who migrated from Urfa. Around 540, during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, Arabissos was one of the administrative centres of the Third Armenia province. Shortly after the Battle of Malazgirt in 1071, the city is said to have been captured by a Turkish commander named Afşin Bey. The Efsus subdistrict, attached to Elbistan district, became a district under the name Afşin in 1944.

Geography

The district centre has an average elevation of 1,220 metres above sea level. It is 150 km from Kahramanmaraş, 28 km from Elbistan and 50 km from Göksun. Afşin has a continental climate and rich lignite deposits. Transport relies entirely on road.

Economy

In recent years a copper deposit, said by the MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration) to be one of the richest in the world, was discovered in the Afşin area. The MTA reported that a copper deposit with reserves of more than 1 billion tonnes had been identified there.

Culture

Apart from the mounds within the district boundaries, there are also old structures in the central neighbourhood. Pir Ali Mosque was built in 1571, during the Danishmendid period, by Mehmed, son of Pir Ali.

History and Culture

The Efsus subdistrict became the district of Afşin in 1944. The Eshab-ı Kehf Complex was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2015.

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Places to Visit in Afşin

Religious

Eşref Bitlis (Eshab-ı Kehf) Cave

The Eshab-ı Kehf (Ashab al-Kahf) cave, also known as the Seven Sleepers, is claimed to be in the district. It is on Türkiye's UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

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Religious

Pir Ali Mosque

Also known as the Ulucami (Grand Mosque). Built in 1571, during the Danishmendid period.

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Dedebaba Mausoleum - Afşin Photo: Hüseyin Öcal (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Religious

Dedebaba Mausoleum

A historic tomb in Afşin district.

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Religious

Eshab-ı Kehf Complex

The complex in Afşin was built around the sacred cave, with structures erected in memory of the seven youths.

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Religious

Pir Ali Mosque (Ulucami)

Pir Ali Mosque in the central neighbourhood of Afşin has been known as the Ulucami since the Republican period.

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Places to Visit Around Kahramanmaraş Province

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

  • Maraş Ice Cream — Ice cream made with goat's milk, salep and sugar and given its texture by pounding with iron paddles; it is firm enough to be cut with a knife.
  • Kahramanmaraş Castle — A castle measuring 150×75 metres on an artificial mound in the city centre, thought to have been built between the 1st century BC and the 2nd century AD; it has been repaired many times and offers the widest view of the city.
  • Grand Mosque and Stone Madrasa — The Grand Mosque, thought to have been built in 1496 by Alaüddevle Bey according to its inscription, and the Stone Madrasa beside it date from the Dulkadirid period.
  • Kahramanmaraş Archaeology Museum — First established in 1947, the museum displays works from the Palaeolithic to the Byzantine period, Late Hittite stelae, finds from Domuztepe, mosaics from Germanicia and the skeleton of an Anatolian elephant.
  • Ashab-ı Kehf Complex — 7 km north-west of Afşin, this place is regarded as the cave in which the story of the Seven Sleepers is set; from the 13th century a complex of a mosque, ribat and caravanserai was built in place of a church dating from 466. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List since 2015.
  • Germanicia Ancient City — A Roman and Byzantine city lying beneath the present-day city; it is known for its villa mosaics with hunting scenes and geometric patterns, uncovered in excavations in the Dulkadiroğlu district.

Practical Information for Visiting Afşin

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Afşin

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  • Maraş Tarhanası (Maraş tarhana soup)

    Tarhana made from yoghurt, wheat and vegetables, dried and eaten as soup in the winter months. It is Afşin's traditional winter dish.

  • Eli Böğründe (meat-filled pastry)

    Eli böğründe, made by wrapping a minced meat filling in dough and baking it, is one of the distinctive flavours of Kahramanmaraş cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Afşin

  • Eshab-ı Kehf Faith Tourism

    Thanks to the Eshab-ı Kehf Cave, Afşin is one of Türkiye's most important centres of faith tourism. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to this sacred site every year.

Local Products

  • Afşin Koçovası Sarımsağı (Afşin Koçova garlic) — Afşin Koçovası Sarımsağı was registered as a protected designation of origin on 28 June 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 787). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruits, vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Afşin District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • Afşin Tava — Afşin Tava was registered as a protected geographical indication on 17 April 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1570). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Afşin District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

Economy

Afşin's economy is based on agriculture, mining and the energy sector. The Afşin-Elbistan lignite basin is one of Türkiye's largest lignite deposits. The thermal power plant is an important source of employment.

How to Get to Afşin

Afşin is 100 km from Kahramanmaraş. There are bus services from Kahramanmaraş and Elbistan.

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Afşin: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Afşin?

The 5 highlights in Afşin are: Eşref Bitlis (Eshab-ı Kehf) Cave, Pir Ali Mosque, Dedebaba Mausoleum, Eshab-ı Kehf Complex and Pir Ali Mosque (Ulucami).

What to eat in Afşin?

Maraş Tarhanası (Maraş tarhana soup) and Eli Böğründe (meat-filled pastry) are the standout flavours on Afşin's tables.

What is Afşin famous for?

Afşin is known for Afşin Koçovası Sarımsağı (Afşin Koçova garlic) and Eshab-ı Kehf Faith Tourism. It is registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected designation of origin product.

How do I get to Afşin?

Afşin is 100 km from Kahramanmaraş. There are bus services from Kahramanmaraş and Elbistan.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Afşin?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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