Karaman is a historic city and province in south-central Turkey, celebrated as the birthplace of written Turkish and the seat of the powerful Karamanoğulları dynasty that ruled much of Anatolia from the 13th to the 15th century. Ringed by the Taurus Mountains to the south and the volcanic Karadağ plateau to the north, the province combines medieval fortresses, Byzantine rock-cut monasteries, and Seljuk caravanserais with sweeping steppe landscapes, cherry orchards, and sugar-beet fields that define the Anatolian interior.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Karaman.
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1
Iron Age Luwian kingdom; İvriz rock relief carved for King Warpalawas of Tuwana
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2
Alexander the Great passes through the region during his Anatolian campaign
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3
Roman rule; Christianity spreads through Isauria and Cilicia
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4
Byzantine flowering; Alahan Monastery and Binbirkilise churches constructed
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5
Battle of Manzikert; Seljuk Turks begin taking Anatolian territories
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6
Karamanoğulları dynasty established, with Karaman as the capital of a powerful Anatolian principality
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7
Mehmed Bey issues decree in Karaman mandating Turkish as the official state language — foundation moment for written Turkish
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8
Karamanoğulları territory begins to be absorbed by the expanding Ottoman Empire
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9
Karaman fully incorporated into the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Bayezid II
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10
Railway connection to Konya-Adana line brings Karaman into the national network
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11
Karaman becomes a province of the Republic of Turkey
Historical sites
Places where Karaman's past comes alive.
Hatuniye Madrasa (Nefise Hatun Türbesi)
Where: Karaman city centre
Admission: Free
İbrahim Bey İmareti (Karamanoğlu Soup Kitchen)
Where: Karaman city centre
Admission: Free
Karaman Castle (Kale)
Where: City centre hilltop
Admission: Free
Binbirkilise Byzantine Ruins
Where: Karadağ plateau, 40 km north
Admission: Free
İvriz Rock Relief (Luwian Neo-Hittite)
Where: İvriz village near Ereğli
Admission: Free
Alahan Monastery (5th century Byzantine)
Where: Taurus escarpment, 100 km southwest
Admission: ₺40 (approx $1.10)
Karamanoğulları Museum
Where: Karaman city centre
Admission: ₺25 (approx $0.67)
Karaman Archaeological Museum
Where: Karaman city centre
Admission: ₺50 (approx $1.35)