KAHRAMANMARAŞ, UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE

Kahramanmaraş proudly carries its 13,000-year-old heritage and its officially registered title as a “UNESCO City of Literature.” Our city transforms this ancient legacy, shaped by the power of words, into a world-class cultural tourism experience through international awards, vibrant festivals, and unique itineraries. From the heart of literature to ancient mosaics, and from the heights of faith tourism to natural wonders, Kahramanmaraş promises a complete journey of discovery.

UNESCO City of Literature and Events

As one of the world’s few creative cities, Kahramanmaraş is a hub that lives and rewards literature:

• International Kahramanmaraş Literature Awards: These prestigious awards in poetry, novels, short stories, and essays bring together the most influential pens of the literary world every year in this UNESCO City of Literature.
• International Kahramanmaraş Poetry & Literature Days: A global gathering where the city’s soul meets the words of poets from across the globe.
• International Kahramanmaraş Book Fair: Attracting over 500,000 visitors annually, it stands as the largest cultural festival in the region.
• Seven Beautiful Men (Yedi Güzel Adam) & Literature Museum: The city’s intellectual tourism centre, where the “Maraş School” was born and the award-winning history of literature is displayed.
  

Heritage and Faith Treasures

• Eshâb-ı Kehf Kulliye (UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List): Located in Afşin, this ancient structure is not only an architectural masterpiece but also a centre of faith and culture that has endured for centuries.
• Historical Maraş Bazaars and Mansions: Listen to the echoes of craftsmanship in the Grand Bazaar, Coppersmiths’, Jewellers’, and Saddlers’ Bazaars. Discover the most elegant examples of civil architecture in the Kocabaş, Dedeoğlu, and Üdürgücü mansions.
• The National Struggle and the Castle: Kahramanmaraş Castle and the surrounding memorial museums, where you can admire the city’s panorama, represent the spirit of heroism.

Archaeological Culture-Tourism: Art of the Ancient World

• Germanicia Mosaics: View floor mosaics that reflect the aristocratic life of the Roman period and have influenced world art history with their exquisite craftsmanship.
• Kahramanmaraş Museum: Embark on a journey through civilisations with ancient elephant skeletons dating back to 1400 BC and the majestic Maraş Lion.
• Direkli Cave and Mounds: Follow the footprints of humanity through excavation sites stretching from the Paleolithic era to the Hittites.

Gastronomy: Culture on the Palate

• Nature and Winter Tourism: The cedar-scented air of the Başkonuş and Yavşan plateaus, combined with the winter sports facilities of the Yedikuyular Ski Centre, merges nature and culture into a single itinerary.

With routes hiding a different story in every corner, Kahramanmaraş invites you to follow the traces of the word and civilisation.

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