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4 places to visit in the Elbeyli district of Kilis: Elbeyli Mound, Olive Groves and Elbeyli Central Mosque. Plan your trip to Elbeyli with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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General Information

Elbeyli is a district of Kilis province. The district covers 238 km² and lies at an altitude of 519 metres above sea level. Its population is 5273, and it gained district status in 1995.

History

The district was founded by the Elbeyli Turkmen tribe, members of the Alkırevli branch of the Oghuz. From 1040 to 1157 it was under Great Seljuk rule, and later passed to the Ilkhanids and the Dulkadirids. After the Battle of Marj Dabiq in 1516 it came under Ottoman rule. In the early years of the Republic it was a village attached to the Jarabulus district of Syria; in 1931 it was attached to Gaziantep as a village. In 1946, with the establishment of Oğuzeli district, it was attached to Oğuzeli, and in 1995 it became a district.

Geography

Of the districts of Kilis, Elbeyli is the closest to Gaziantep. The land is flat and level; there are no mountains or hills. The vegetation is mostly herbaceous plants, that is, steppe.

Economy

90% of the district’s people make their living from agriculture and livestock. The average yields are 200–250 kg per decare for wheat, 100–150 kg per decare for lentils, and about 100 kg for Antep pistachios.

History and Culture

Elbeyli was founded by the Elbeyli Turkmen tribe, members of the Alkırevli branch of the Oghuz. In 1931, while Elbeyli was a village attached to Gaziantep, it was attached to the district of Kilis. In 1995 it became a district, having been a subdistrict of Oğuzeli, and with Kilis becoming a province it was attached to Kilis province. During the Syrian Civil War, a container city was set up in the district for Syrian refugees.

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Places to Visit in Elbeyli

  • 1 Historic
  • 1 Religious
  • 1 Nature
  • 1 Other
Historic

Elbeyli Mound

A mound near the district that shows the region has been settled since the Neolithic period. Surface surveys have uncovered pottery fragments and stone tools from various periods.

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Nature

Olive Groves

The centuries-old olive groves around Elbeyli reflect the region's agricultural heritage. Some trees are estimated to be more than 500 years old.

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Religious

Elbeyli Central Mosque

The mosque in the district centre was built in the Ottoman period and is notable for its stonework.

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Other

Çobanbey Railway Station

Çobanbey Railway Station on the Syrian border served the Aleppo-Nusaybin railway line between 1912 and 1981. It reopened in 2009 and closed again because of the civil war.

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Places to Visit Around Kilis Province

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While you are in Elbeyli, you can also see the highlights of Kilis province. These places are in other districts; Elbeyli is about 25 km from the provincial centre.

  • Oylum Höyük — A large mound 7 km east-south-east of the city, on the roads between the Euphrates valley and the Amik Plain; settlement layers from the Chalcolithic through the Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine periods are being excavated.
  • Kilis Museum — An archaeology and ethnography museum opened in 2012 in the Neşet Efendi Mansion, built in 1927; finds and mosaics from Oylum Höyük are displayed.
  • Tekke Mosque — An Ottoman-period mosque in the city centre, notable for its muqarnas stonework and tile decoration; together with the hammam beside it, it forms a complex.
  • Kilis Grand Mosque — The oldest and largest mosque in the city, in the Hacı Gümüş neighbourhood; it was rebuilt in 1388 by Hacı Halil, son of Abdullah.
  • Kilis Mevlevi Lodge (Mevlevihane) — A Mevlevi lodge founded in the Ottoman period; it has been restored and arranged as a foundation museum.
  • Ravanda Castle — A medieval castle rising on a rocky hill north-west of Kilis; in the time of the Crusaders and the Ayyubids it was an important defensive point controlling the road to Aleppo.

Practical Information for Visiting Elbeyli

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring months (March-May)
Places to visit
4 places

What to Eat in Elbeyli

Food guide →

  • Kilis Tava (lamb and tomato skillet)

    Kilis tava, made by cooking minced lamb with tomato, pepper and egg on a sač griddle, is also widely made in Elbeyli.

  • Lahmacun

    Lahmacun, a thin dough topped with a mixture of minced meat, onion, tomato and pepper and baked in a stone oven, is an indispensable flavour of Southeastern Anatolia.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Elbeyli

  • Olive Growing Tradition

    Olive growing in Elbeyli is a tradition that has been kept up for centuries. During the harvest season, families gather to pick olives and extract oil using the traditional stone press method.

  • Border Culture

    Close to the Syrian border, Elbeyli lies in an area where different cultures interact. This geographical position has enriched the district's food and way of life.

Local Products

  • Olive oil — Oil obtained from the olives grown in Elbeyli's fertile soil. It is the district's most important agricultural product.
  • Nar Ekşisi (pomegranate molasses) — Pomegranate molasses, produced from pomegranates grown in the region by traditional methods, is an indispensable ingredient of South-eastern cuisine.

Economy

Elbeyli's economy is based on agriculture. Olive growing and olive oil production are the main sources of income. Wheat, barley and grapes are other important agricultural products. Small-scale livestock farming is also practised.

How to Get to Elbeyli

Elbeyli is 25 km from Kilis city centre. It is reached by road. There are regular minibus services from Kilis.

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Elbeyli: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the things to see in Elbeyli?

The highlights of Elbeyli are 4 sites: Elbeyli Mound, Olive Groves, Elbeyli Central Mosque and Çobanbey Railway Station.

What to eat in Elbeyli?

Kilis Tava and Lahmacun are the standout flavours on Elbeyli's tables.

What is Elbeyli famous for?

Elbeyli is known for Olive Oil and the Olive Growing Tradition. The oil obtained from the olives grown in Elbeyli's fertile soil is the district's most important agricultural product.

How do I get to Elbeyli?

Elbeyli is 25 km from Kilis city centre. It is reached by road. There are regular minibus services from Kilis.

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

Suggested visit length: half a day. Best time to visit: spring months (March-May).

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