AROUND GAZIANTEP
West of Gaziantep, the Dülük forest makes a good day's outing, or you can stay overnight in the campsite. In the woods, stroll through the Dülük archaeological site, which dates back to prehistoric times. A Hittite sculpting school was centered in Yesemek, where the 200 works of art on view reveal the beauty of Hittite art. Next to the Syrian border, on the banks of the Firat River, Kargamis, once a late Hittite capital, is another important archaeological site. The site's finds, including immense bas-reliefs, have been moved to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. The ruins of Belkis (Zeugma) are on the borders of Nizip. It has a Mound, which has been turned into a citadel. The mosaics from the Roman period are well worth seeing.
Kilis,
situated near the Turkish-Syrian border en route to Gaziantep is an especially
charming area. 
dotted
with vineyards and olive groves on all sides. It was originally known as
Kilis (mentioned in the Assyrian archives) and was a very important town
in ancient days for frontier commerce. It is still famous today for its
cotton, silk weaving and leather products. Several interesting sites in
Kilis include the 16th century Canbolat Bey Complex, ancient 15th century
baths, a dervish room dating from the 19th century, the 14th century Ulu
Mosque and the 16th century Akcururn Mosque. Near Kilis there are several
sites worth seeing. En route from Kilis to Gaziantep is Ravanda Castle.
constructed by the Crusaders and restored by the Mamelouks. Kuzeyne (Kuzuini)
located 5 kilometers northeast of Kilis resembles an open-air museum with
its castle and mosaics. Many diverse cultures settled in this area, including:
Hittite, Roman and Byzantine. This is a perfect place for archaeology buffs
because there are many ruins here. Korus (Kiriz) is 20 kilometers east
of Kilis where an ancient Roman center with castle ruins, a temple and
theater are definitely worth seeing.
In the 12th century B.C., Kahramanmaras was the capital of the Hittite state of Gurgum. A massive citadel built in the 2nd century B.C. houses the city's museum and its good collection of Hittite sculptures. Other sites include the 15th century Ulu Mosque and the Tas Medrese. The ice-cream of Kahramanmaras, thickened with gum arabic and beaten with a wooden paddle, is known throughout Turkey.
Adiyaman's
Archaeological Museum houses regional finds from the Lower Firat which
date from the 
Neolithic
and Chalcolithic ages. Good quality kilims woven in bright colors sell
for reasonable prices in the bazaar. Surrounding monuments include the
ruins of an Abbasid citadel (restored by the Seljuks) and a 14th century
Ulu Mosque. The discovery of oil in the region has brought prosperity to
Adiyaman. Adiyaman as well as Kahta (which has good accommodations and
camping facilities), make good bases from which to visit Nemrut
Dagi National Park. You can hire transportation in either town. On
the summit of Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut), at an altitude of 2,150 meters
- the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia - sits the gigantic funerary
sanctuary erected in the first century B.C. by King Antiochos I of Commagene.
The engineering involved in creating the artificial tumulus flanked by
terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Heracles,
Tyche and Antiochus - continues to amaze visitors. Time has inflicted heavy
damage on the sculptures; their torsos sit with their beautifully carved
heads at their feet.
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