Gaziantep, in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border, is one of Turkey's oldest continuously inhabited cities and its undisputed culinary capital. Famous worldwide for its baklava, pistachios, and complex spiced dishes, the city pairs 2,000 years of history with a thriving modern food culture. The Zeugma Mosaic Museum — one of the world's great mosaic collections — anchors a city packed with Ottoman bazaars, ancient hilltop citadels, and a copper-craft tradition that dates back centuries.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Gaziantep.
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1
Earliest Chalcolithic settlement in the Gaziantep region
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2
Hittite Empire period; Dülük (Doliche) becomes important cult site for Jupiter Dolichenus
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3
Hellenistic period; region under Seleucid rule; Zeugma established as major city on the Euphrates
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4
Roman period; Zeugma flourishes as military colony; extraordinary mosaic tradition develops
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5
Late Roman / Byzantine period; Christianity spreads; churches built
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6
Arab Umayyad and Abbasid rule; Islam established; city integrated into Islamic caliphate
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7
Byzantine reconquest then Seljuk Turks; Turkification begins
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8
Crusader County of Edessa controls the region briefly
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9
Zengid, Ayyubid, Mamluk rule in succession; city grows as trade center
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10
Ottoman Sultan Selim I captures Antep; city becomes Ottoman provincial capital
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11
Antep becomes center of Gaziantep vilayet under Tanzimat reforms
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12
French occupation and Antep Resistance — city holds out against French forces; Atatürk awards 'Gazi' prefix
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13
City renamed Gaziantep (Gazi + Antep) honoring its resistance
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14
Zeugma rescue excavations before Birecik Dam flooding; mosaics moved to new museum
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15
Zeugma Mosaic Museum opens as world's largest mosaic museum
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16
Gaziantep designated UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Historical sites
Places where Gaziantep's past comes alive.
Zeugma Archaeological Site
Where: On the Euphrates near Nizip, 60 km east of Gaziantep
Admission: Site: free; Zeugma Museum in city: ₺200 (~$6.20 USD)
Dülük (Ancient Doliche) Ruins
Where: 12 km north of city center
Admission: Free
Gaziantep Castle
Where: Old city hilltop
Admission: ₺50 (~$1.55 USD)
Yesemek Quarry and Sculpture Workshop
Where: 95 km northwest of Gaziantep
Admission: ₺50 (~$1.55 USD)