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Gaziantep... Gaziantep is one of the modern provinces of the region and also one of the oldest of Hittite origin. Being the center of pistachio nut cultivation in Türkiye and with its extensive olive groves and vineyards, Gaziantep is one of the important, industrial centres of Türkiye. In the center of the city stands the Gaziantep Fortress and the Ravanda citadel as the reminders of past. The Archaeological Museum, with its important collections from neolithic and the Hittite ages as well as the Roman and Commagene times, attracts many visitors. The surroundings of the city are also full of valuable Hittite remains. The Suzer House, which has been restored to its original beauty, now houses the Ethnographical Museum. The Yesemek Sculpture Workshop, 30 km south of the town of Islahiye, is one of the world's first of this kind. Some of the other historical remains are the Belkis, and Kargamis Ruins by the town of Nizip. Dulluk which is close to the city center is ideal for those who would like to rest in a natural setting amidst forest and has camping facilities. The citadel was first constructed, as far as is known, by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD, but was rebuilt extensively by the Seljuks in the 12th and 13th centuries. The massive doors to the fortified enclosure may well be locked, but at least have a look at them. As you approach the kale bear right around the massive walls. Around to the right of the fosse you will come to a small mosque, opposite which is a ramp leading up to the citadel doors. If they are open, proceed across the wooden bridge which spans the fosse and into the kale. Gaziantep is famous for its three regional specialties. First is the copper-ware products you will not want to pass up. The delicious lahmacun (a kind of pizza) is the second, while the third is the sweet pastry baklava, which Gaziantep makes the best in the world. To travel along Türkiye's southern border, take the highway which connects Gazi Antep, SanliUrfa and Mardin to Syria and Iraq. Gazi Antep, located on a wide and fertile plain cultivated with extensive olive groves and vineyards, produces a variety of agricultural crops. It is especially known throughout Türkiye for its excellent pistachios. Industry also contributes to the local economy. The 36 towers of the city's fortress were originally constructed in the Justinian era and were later rebuilt by the Seljuks. The Archaeology Museum has important items from Neolithic, Hittite and Roman times. The Hasan Suzer House, from the turn of the century, has been beautifully restored and houses the Ethnographical Museum.

The artisans of Gazi Antep specialize in copperware and furniture inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The kitchens produce some of the best lahmacun, a delicious pizza topped with spicy meat and heros,and baklava, a honey and nut pastry. West of Gazi Antep, the Duluk forest makes a good day's outing, or you can stay overnight in the campsite. In the woods, stroll through the Duluk archaeological site which dates back to prehistoric times. A Hittite sculpting school was centered in Yesemek, where the 200 works of art on view reveal the beauty of Hittite art. Next to the Syrian border, on the banks of the Firat River, Kargamis, once a late Hittite capital, is another important archaeological site. The site's finds, including immense bas-reliefs, have been moved to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara. The ruins of Belkis (Zeugma) are on the borders of Nizip. It has a mound which has been turned into a citadel. The mosaics from the Roman period are well worth seeing. Kilis situated near the Turkish-Syrian border enroute to Gazi Antep is an especialy charming area, dotted with vineyards and olive groves on all sides. It was orginaly known as Kilizi (mentioned in the Assyrian archives) and was a very important town in ancient days for frontier commerce. It is still famous today for its cotton, Silk weaving and leather products. Several interesting sites in Kilis include the 16^th century Canbolat Bey Complex ancient 15^th century baths a dervish room dating from the 19^th century, the 14^th century Ulu Mosque and the 16^th century Akcurum Mosque.

Near Kilis there are several sites worth seeing.Enroute from Kilis to Gazi Antep is Ravanda Castle, constructed by the Crusaders and restored by the Mamelouks. Kuzeyne (Kuzuini) located 5 kilometers northeast of Kilis resembles an open-air museum with its castle and mosaics. Many diverse cultures settled in this area, including: Hittite, Roman and Byzantine. This is a perfect piace for archaeclogy buffs because there are many ruins here. Korus (Kiriz) is 20 kilometers east of Kilis where an ancient Roman center with castle ruins, a temple and theater are definitely worth seeing. In the 12^th century B.C., Kahraman Maras was the capital of the Hittite state of Gurgum. A massive citadel built in the 2^nd century B.C. houses the city's museum and its good collection of Hittite sculptures. Other sites include the 15^th century UIu Mosque and the Tas Medrese. The ice-cream of Kahraman Maras, thickened with gum arabic and beaten with a wooden paddle, is known throughout Türkiye.