Gaziantep

Gaziantep is a large city in southeastern Turkey, stretching between the Mediterranean and Anatolian regions at an elevation of about 850 meters (2,790 feet). The old town clusters around a hilltop castle, while newer districts spread in several directions, connecting residential areas with commercial streets.

The settlement began in ancient times and carried different names under Roman, Byzantine and Arab rule. In the 20th century it received its current name after the defense against French forces during the War of Independence.

The name refers to the resistance against French forces, when the city earned the honorary title Gazi. Today you see small workshops everywhere, where craftsmen work copper or weave carpets, while the streets carry the scent of spices and freshly baked bread.

You can reach the city through an international airport or by train, and a light rail connects several districts once you arrive. Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures for exploring, while summer months can become very hot.

At the Zeugma Museum you can see Roman mosaics that belong to the largest collections of their kind in the world. Many pieces come from villas that were rescued during dam construction, before the Euphrates would have flooded them.

Location: Gaziantep Province

Elevation above the sea: 850 m

Website: http://gaziantep.gov.tr

GPS coordinates: 37.06283,37.37926

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:47