| Kilis,
near the Turkish - Syrian border en route to Gazi Antep, was originally
known in the Assyrian archives as Kilizi. Kilis is important for
its cotton and silk weaving and also for its leather products. This most
charming area is dotted with vineyards and olive groves on all sides. Also
interesting are the Canbolat Bey complex, the old baths and a center tjat
once housed a dervish order. Several other sites worth seeing nearby include
Ravanda Castle, situated between Kilis and Gazi Anmtep. 5 km. to
the northeast is the town of Kuzeyne (Korus) that is like an open-air
museum with its castle and mosaics. What makes it special is that here
one can view ruins from Hittite, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic times all
in one place. An ancient Roman center is found 20 km. east of Kilis in
the town of Korus (Kiriz). Ruins of a castle, a temple and a theater
await your visit.
In
the 12th century B.C Kahraman Maras (78km.north of Gazi Antep) was the
capital of the Hittite state of Gurgum. A massive citadel built in the
2nd century B.C. now houses the city museum with o good collection of Hittite
sculptures. Other sites include the 15th-century Ulu Mosque and the Tas
Medrese. The city is famous throughout Turkey for its ice-cream thickened
with gum arabic and beten with a wooden paddle. |
