Photo: Klaus-Peter Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source 5 places to visit in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş: Domuztepe Mound, Pazarcık Castle and Aksu River Valley. Plan your trip to Pazarcık with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Pazarcık is a district of Kahramanmaraş province. It is 47 kilometres from Kahramanmaraş city centre.
Pazarcık has flat and in places rugged terrain. The district’s climate combines features of the Mediterranean and continental climates. The Kartalkaya Dam in the centre supplies drinking water to Gaziantep province.
The area where Pazarcık stands is known from historical sources to have been a very ancient settlement. The “Kırk Mağaralar” area, 1 km north-east of the old district centre, is considered to have been an important settlement centre between 3500 and 3000 BC. In 1933 Pazarcık district was taken from Maraş province and attached to Gaziantep province, and in 1944 the Pazarcık district, then part of Gaziantep province, was attached to Maraş province.
Archaeological work in the district has uncovered finds believed to date from the early Palaeolithic Age. On 6 February 2023 an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 occurred with its epicentre very close to Pazarcık. Pazarcık was severely damaged in the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
The Pazarcık area is known to have been called KATAMANA in the Roman–Commagene period. In the late Ottoman period, from 1866 Maraş was attached to the Aleppo vilayet and turned into the Maraş sanjak, which included the districts of Elbistan, Göksun, Pazarcık and Andırın. The average elevation of Pazarcık district centre is 745 metres above sea level.
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Photo: Klaus-Peter Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source Domuztepe Mound, dated to the 6th millennium BC, is one of the largest settlements of the Neolithic period. Excavations led by the University of Manchester have revealed finds dating back 8,000 years.
View on mapThe castle ruins on the hill above the district centre date from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
View on mapThe Aksu River valley, which passes south of Pazarcık, is a suitable route for walking, with green vegetation and natural beauty.
View on mapThe Kırk Mağaralar area, 1 km north-east of the district centre, is considered to have been an important settlement centre between 3500 and 3000 BC.
View on mapThe dam in the district centre supplies drinking water to Gaziantep province.
View on mapWhile you are in Pazarcık, you can also see the highlights of Kahramanmaraş province. These places are in other districts.
Pazarcık köftesi, made by kneading finely chopped onion and spices and then grilling, is the district's best-known dish.
Tarhana, prepared with yoghurt, wheat and vegetables, is an essential soup on Pazarcık's winter tables.
Domuztepe Mound documents Pazarcık's 8,000-year settlement history. This archaeological site is one of the most important Neolithic settlements in Southeastern Anatolia.
Pazarcık's economy is based on farming and livestock. Peppers, cotton, wheat and barley are the main agricultural products.
Pazarcık is 35 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus and minibus services run from Kahramanmaraş.
The highlights of Pazarcık are 5 places: Domuztepe Mound, Pazarcık Castle, Aksu River Valley, Kırk Mağaralar and Kartalkaya Dam.
Pazarcık Köftesi and Tarhana Çorbası are the standout flavours on Pazarcık's tables.
Pazarcık is known for its Pazarcık Pepper and its Neolithic Heritage. Red peppers grown on Pazarcık's fertile plains are one of the raw materials for Kahramanmaraş pul pepper.
Pazarcık is 35 km from Kahramanmaraş. Bus and minibus services run from Kahramanmaraş.
Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.