Things to Do in Başyayla: 2 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Başyayla

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

• Binbirkilise (Thousand and One Churches) — Remains of many Byzantine-era churches, monasteries and chapels, concentrated in the villages of Madenşehri and Değle on the slopes of the extinct volcano Karadağ, about 30 km north of Karaman; they were documented by Gertrude Bell and W. M. Ramsay at the beginning of the 20th century.
• Karaman Castle — A castle on the mound in the city centre, its inner walls dated to the time of Kılıç Arslan II and its outer walls to that of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev I; in the Karamanid period it was the residence of the beys.
• Hatuniye Madrasa — A madrasa built in 1382 in the name of Nefise Sultan, wife of Karamanoğlu Alaeddin Bey; the muqarnas and geometric decoration of its marble portal is among the masterpieces of stonework from the principalities period.
• Aktekke Mosque (Mader-i Mevlânâ) — A mosque built by Karamanoğlu Alaeddin Bey I in 1370–1371; in its graveyard lies the tomb of Mümine Hatun, mother of Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî.
• İbrahim Bey Imaret — A complex of mosque, madrasa and tomb built by Karamanoğlu İbrahim Bey II in 1432–1433; its tiled mihrab and kündekâri (interlocking woodwork) doors reflect the art of the period.
• Karaman Museum — A museum behind the Hatuniye Madrasa displaying finds from the Canhasan mound, works from Binbirkilise and works of the Karamanid period.

Practical Information for Visiting Başyayla

Suggested time

Half a day

Best time to visit

Summer months

Places to visit

2 places

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  Arabaşı (chicken and flour soup)

  Arabaşı, made with chicken broth, flour and butter, is Başyayla's traditional winter dish.

• 🥘

  Keşkek (wheat and meat porridge)

  Keşkek, made by slow-cooking wheat and meat and then pounding them, is the traditional dish of wedding feasts. Pounding the wheat and boiling it with meat for hours is a process that requires patience.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Başyayla

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  Yayla Migration Tradition

  The tradition of moving to the plateaus in the summer months continues in Başyayla. This tradition is an important part of the livestock-rearing culture of the Taurus Mountains.

Local Products

• Başyayla Karın Kaymağı (Başyayla cream) — Başyayla Karın Kaymağı was registered as a geographical indication on 7 February 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1333). Product group: cheeses and dairy products other than butter. Registered by: Başyayla District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Başyayla Honey — Flower honey obtained from the higher parts of the Taurus Mountains, known for its natural and organic character.

Economy

Başyayla's economy is based on livestock and agriculture. Small livestock rearing is the main source of livelihood.

How to Get to Başyayla

Başyayla is 100 km from Karaman. Minibus services run from Karaman.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Karaman

Başyayla: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Başyayla Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Karaman The province's 11 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Karaman

• Karaman Central District 5 places Karaman Castle, Hatuniye Madrasa and Aktekke Mosque
• Ayrancı 10 places Ağızboğaz Village, Saracık Plateau and Divle Obruk Cave
• Ermenek 6 places Ermenek Castle, Tol Madrasa and Maraspoli Cave
• Kazimkarabekir 2 places Kazımkarabekir Mound and Kazımkarabekir Plain
• Sarıveliler 6 places Sarıveliler Plateaus, Göksu Valley and Sarıveliler Castle