 |
KARAMAN
Karaman, once the capital of the Karamanli Emirate, was
the first Turkish state to use Turkish, not Persian,
as the official language. Fittingly, Yunus Emre, the
first great poet to write in Turkish, lived here in
the 13th century. The surrounding fortresses date
from Seljuk times, although the town's most
significant buildings, the Araboglu, Yunus Emre and
Aktekke Mosques and the Hatuniye Medrese, were all
built during the Karamanid reign. Near Taskale, 48 km
east of Karaman, on the rocky northern slope of
Yesildere Valley, are the remains of the fascinating,
historical city of Manazan. Built during Byzantine
times, the entire city of narrow lanes, houses,
squares, storage facilities, chapels and cemeteries (occupying
an area approximately three kilometers long and five
stories high) was carved into the rocky hillside of
the valley. Today parts of the city are still used for
wheat storage. South of Karaman up a steep narrow road
are the remains of a beautiful Byzantine monastery,
Alahan. Much still stands, and there is some fine
stone carving to admire. This magnificent location
offers a breathtaking view. |
