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5 places to visit in the Türkoğlu district of Kahramanmaraş: Türkoğlu Castle, Foothills of the Amanos Mountains and Türkoğlu Martyrs' Memorial. Plan your trip to Türkoğlu with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Türkoğlu is a district of Kahramanmaraş province, lying at an altitude of 491 metres across an area of 660 km². Its former name was Eloğlu. On 11 February 1960, then prime minister Adnan Menderes visited the town, and by Law No. 7033 of 20 April 1960 it became the 6th district of Kahramanmaraş. Türkoğlu has a history of around seven thousand years and has been home to many different civilisations. Settlement at the present-day centre began about 180 years before the end of the Ottoman period. The district’s first inhabitants were the Tecirli tribe of the Avşar branch of the Oghuz. Located 23 km from Kahramanmaraş city centre, the district lies within the Mediterranean climate zone and on a plain.

History and Culture

In 1960, Adnan Menderes decided that the town should be named Türkoğlu. By Law No. 7033 of 20 April 1960, Türkoğlu became the 6th district of Kahramanmaraş province. Many mounds dating from prehistoric times are found in the district and its surroundings. Kuvay-ı Milliye units formed from Türkoğlu and the surrounding villages liberated the district from enemy occupation on 12 February 1920.

Key Facts

On 11 February 1960, then prime minister Adnan Menderes visited the town and decided that it should become a district and take the name Türkoğlu. Türkoğlu was founded on the eastern foothills of İmalı Mountain, an eastward extension of the Nur Mountains. The first inhabitants of Türkoğlu were the Tecirli tribe of the Avşar branch of the Oghuz.

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Places to Visit in Türkoğlu

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature
Historic

Türkoğlu Castle

Castle ruins on the hill above the district centre, dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods. The castle offers views of the Amanos Mountains and the plain.

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Nature

Foothills of the Amanos Mountains

The Amanos Mountains, rising to the west of Türkoğlu, are a suitable area for walking, with rich vegetation and wildlife.

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Historic

Türkoğlu Martyrs' Memorial

A memorial built in honour of those who fell in the struggle against the French occupation during the War of Independence, reflecting the district's historical importance.

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Ancient City

Domuztepe Mound

Archaeological excavations at the mound in Kelibişler village have shown that people lived in the area from the 7000s BC onwards.

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Nature

Amanos Mountain range (northern section)

The northern section of the Amanos Mountain range in the west of the district.

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Places to Visit Around Kahramanmaraş Province

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While you are in Türkoğlu, 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 Türkoğlu

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

What to Eat in Türkoğlu

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  • Maraş Dondurması (goat's milk and salep ice cream)

    Maraş dondurma, made with goat's milk and salep, is also served in the traditional recipe by ice cream sellers in Türkoğlu.

  • Eli Böğründe (minced meat baked in dough)

    Eli böğründe, made by wrapping a minced meat filling in dough and baking it, is one of the distinctive flavours of Kahramanmaraş cuisine. Prepared by local people on special occasions, this dish is a symbol of hospitality.

  • Maraş biberi (Maraş chillies)

    A pepper bearing the name of Kahramanmaraş and holding a protected geographical indication; according to some sources, it is also grown on the Türkoğlu plains. It is not specific to the district.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Türkoğlu

  • War of Independence Heritage

    Türkoğlu played an important role in the struggle against the French occupation during the War of Independence. The district takes its name from the heroes of that period.

Local Products

  • Türkoğlu Biberi (Türkoğlu chillies) — Red peppers grown on the fertile plains of Türkoğlu, one of the main raw material sources for Kahramanmaraş pul biber (chilli flakes).

Economy

Türkoğlu's economy rests on agriculture, industry and trade. Peppers, cotton and grain are the main agricultural products. The district is strategically located on the Kahramanmaraş–Gaziantep highway.

How to Get to Türkoğlu

Türkoğlu is 30 km from Kahramanmaraş. It lies on the Kahramanmaraş–Gaziantep highway. Bus and minibus services run regularly.

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Türkoğlu: Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see in Türkoğlu?

Türkoğlu's 5 highlights: Türkoğlu Castle, Foothills of the Amanos Mountains, Türkoğlu Martyrs' Memorial, Domuztepe Mound and the Amanos Mountain range (northern section).

What is there to eat in Türkoğlu?

Maraş Dondurması, Eli Böğründe and Maraş biberi are the standout flavours on Türkoğlu's tables.

What is Türkoğlu famous for?

Türkoğlu is known for its Türkoğlu Chillies and its War of Independence Heritage. Red peppers grown on the fertile plains of Türkoğlu are one of the main raw material sources for Kahramanmaraş pul biber.

How do I get to Türkoğlu?

Türkoğlu is 30 km from Kahramanmaraş. It lies on the Kahramanmaraş–Gaziantep highway. Bus and minibus services run regularly.

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

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

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