Things to Do in Ermenek: 6 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Ermenek

• 1 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 1 Religious
• 2 Nature
• 1 Attraction

While you are in Ermenek, 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 Ermenek

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

Places to visit

6 places

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  Ermenek Helvası

  Ermenek Helvası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 14 September 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1223). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, sweets. Registered by: Ermenek Municipality.

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  Ermenek Bamyası

  Okra grown in Ermenek's mild valleys, cooked with olive oil or with meat. Known for its fine and tasty texture.

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  Arabaşı

  Made with chicken stock, flour and butter, arabaşı is Ermenek's traditional winter dish.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Ermenek

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  Capital of the Karamanid Principality

  Ermenek was the first capital of the Karamanid Principality and became an important political and cultural centre in the 13th century.

Local Products

• Ermenek Batırması — Ermenek Batırması was registered as a protected geographical indication on 27 November 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1506). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Ermenek Municipality.
• Ermenek Bamyası — Okra grown in Ermenek's warm valleys, known across Türkiye for its fine and tasty texture.

Economy

Ermenek's economy rests on agriculture, mining and energy. Okra, walnuts and fruit are the main agricultural products. Ermenek Dam produces energy.

How to Get to Ermenek

Ermenek is 120 km from Karaman. Bus services run from Karaman.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Karaman

Ermenek: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Ermenek 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
• Başyayla 2 places Başyayla Plateaus and Başyayla Forests
• Kazimkarabekir 2 places Kazımkarabekir Mound and Kazımkarabekir Plain
• Sarıveliler 6 places Sarıveliler Plateaus, Göksu Valley and Sarıveliler Castle