Karaman, Administrative center at Taurus Mountains, Turkey
Karaman sits on a high plateau in central Anatolia at around 1,039 meters elevation and is surrounded by mountains. The town consists of residential neighborhoods and older buildings that spread around the central castle area.
The town was known as Laranda in ancient times and received its current name in 1256 when Karaman Bey conquered the region and named it after himself. This event marked the beginning of its importance as an administrative center under Turkish rule.
The city's museum displays objects from different periods of Turkish history, offering insight into the lives of people who lived here. The exhibited pieces tell stories of craftsmanship, daily life, and religious traditions that continue to shape the town's identity today.
The castle in the town center is a good starting point to explore the different sights in the region. From there, visitors can easily reach the older quarters and the museum.
In 1277, this was the first city in Anatolia to make Turkish its official language, an achievement still celebrated through annual Language Day events. This early commitment to Turkish set the town apart as a symbolically important place in the region.
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