Gaziantep lies where the Mediterranean meets Southeastern Anatolia — between Mesopotamia, cradle of the first civilizations, and the Mediterranean, at the crossroads of routes running from the south to the east, north and west. That location has given the province a remarkably colorful history: it has been a settlement and stopping place for human communities since prehistoric times. Its position on the historic Silk Road, in particular, has sustained Gaziantep’s importance and vitality through the ages.

A border province neighboring Syria, Gaziantep sits mostly in the western part of Southeastern Anatolia, with part of its territory in the east of the Mediterranean region. It is bordered by Birecik and Halfeti (Şanlıurfa) to the east, Besni (Adıyaman) to the northeast, Pazarcık (Kahramanmaraş) to the north, Bahçe (Osmaniye) to the west, Hassa (Hatay) to the southwest, and Kilis province to the south.

From Ayıntap to Gaziantep

The city’s old name, Ayıntap, is said to derive from the beauty and abundance of its water — “ayın” means spring, or the source of water. Despite losing 6,317 martyrs resisting the French forces, the city’s courageous, unyielding defense earned it the title of “Gazi” (veteran) from the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 6 February 1921, becoming “Gaziayıntab”. In 1928 the city’s name was changed to Gaziantep.

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Places to See in Gaziantep

Archaeology (Zeugma Mosaic) Museum — the world’s 2nd-largest mosaic museum
Hasan Süzer Ethnography Museum
Medusa Glass Works Museum
Emine Göğüş Culinary Museum
Belkıs-Zeugma Ruins — Nizip / Belkıs
Yesemek Open-Air Museum and Sculpture Workshop — İslahiye / Yesemek
Tilmen Mound Ruins — İslahiye / Tilmen
Dülük Ruins — Şehitkamil / Dülük
Carchemish Ruins
Gaziantep Castle
Rumkale

Mosques, Tombs and Churches

The Kendirli Church, built in 1860 with the support of French missionaries and Napoleon III, is well worth seeing. St. Mary’s Church in the center — today the Kurtuluş Mosque — was built between 1873 and 1892 by master stonemason Sarkis Taşcıyan to a design by Sarkis Balyan. The Church of St. Pedros, discovered by chance during road works, dates from 1723 and now serves as the Ömer Ersoy Cultural Center. The tombs of Ökkeşiye, the Prophet Yuşa and Pirsefa are also notable places of visit across the province.

What to Buy

Copperwork, mother-of-pearl inlaid pieces, gold and silver jewellery, the traditional heelless leather shoes known as “yemeni”, and fine hand embroidery on white fabric are Gaziantep’s most distinctive souvenirs. Gaziantep baklava, Antep pistachios, sweet sucuk and pestil (fruit leather), red pepper and spices also belong on every shopping list.

What to Eat

Gaziantep cuisine holds a privileged place among the cuisines of Türkiye and the world, thanks to the richness of its traditions and local flavors. İçli köfte, çiğ köfte, sour meatballs, lentil köfte and yogurt köfte are among the province’s signature meat dishes. In a city famous for its kebabs, be sure to try kuşbaşı (tike) kebab, minced-meat kebab, eggplant kebab, onion kebab, simit kebab and liver kebab. Yuvarlama, lahmacun, stuffed vegetables, maş soup, beyran, şiveydiz, vine leaves, alinazik, stuffed ribs, künefe, burma kadayıf, baklava and pistachio paste round out the local table.