Province · Anatólia Central

Karaman

Karaman was the capital of the Karamanids and houses Binbirkilise, a group of Byzantine churches in an extinct volcano, the rock-carved granaries of Taşkale and the caves of Manazan.

In the photo: Binbirkilise, Madenşehri (Karaman)

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Karaman

Karaman lies on the southern Anatolian plateau, between Konya and the Taurus Mountains. The city was the capital of the Karamanids, a dynasty that ruled the region from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and is associated with the Turkish language: in 1277 the bey Karamanoğlu Mehmet ordered the use of Turkish in official documents, a fact commemorated every year at the Turkish Language Festival.

In the center are the castle, the Hatuniye madrasa from 1382 with a carved marble portal, and the Karaman Museum. The city also preserves a tomb attributed to the poet Yunus Emre.

To the north, on the slopes of Karadağ, an extinct volcano, Binbirkilise ("a thousand and one churches") comprises ruins of Byzantine churches and monasteries in the villages of Madenşehri and Değle. In Taşkale, granaries carved into a rock face have stored grain for centuries, and nearby the Manazan caves form a group of chambers excavated on several levels.

In the south of the province, Ermenek has an old town above the valley and a dam between canyons. The road from Karaman descends to Mut and Silifke on the Mersin coast, crossing the Taurus Mountains.

When to go

April to June and September to October are usually the best months for Binbirkilise, Taşkale and Manazan, with mild days. Summer is hot and dry; winter is typically cold, with snow in the mountains. The Turkish Language Festival is usually held in May.

Getting there

The high-speed train links Karaman to Konya in about 40 minutes, with connections to Ankara and Istanbul. The most used airport is Konya (KYA). There are buses to Konya, Mersin and Silifke. For Binbirkilise, Taşkale and Manazan, a car is the most practical way.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Karaman

How to visit Binbirkilise?

By car from Karaman, via the road that climbs Karadağ to Madenşehri. The ruins are spread across the village and slopes, with no visitor facilities. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.

Does Karaman pair well with Konya?

Yes. The two cities are close and have a high-speed train between them. A day in Karaman can be included on a trip to Konya, with Taşkale and Manazan by car.

What are the granaries of Taşkale?

They are storage chambers cut into a rock face above the village of Taşkale, used for centuries to store grain. The small doors are on multiple levels, and access is by stairs and trails.

Can you go from Karaman to the Mediterranean?

Yes. The road runs from Karaman to Mut and Silifke on the Mersin coast, crossing the Taurus Mountains.