Kahramanmara

Kahramanmaraş, commonly referred to as Maraş, is a city and the administrative capital of Kahramanmaraş Province in southern Türkiye. It sits in the Mediterranean region at the eastern foot of the Taurus Mountains, on a broad plain near the border with Syria. The city has a long history, with evidence of Hittite, Roman and Ottoman settlement, and remains a regional commercial and cultural center.

The name Kahramanmaraş was adopted in 1973 to honor the city’s resistance during the Turkish War of Independence; “Kahraman” means “heroic.” The prefix is widely used in official references and local usage, reflecting the city’s historic associations with defense and resilience.

Economy and culture in Kahramanmaraş are centered on industry, trade and services. The city is renowned for Maraş dondurması, a thick, chewy ice cream prepared with salep and mastic resin and served by the traditional stretching method. Local cuisine features dishes typical of the Taurus region, and the city hosts markets, crafts and cultural events that highlight regional traditions.

Landmarks and institutions include historic mosques such as the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) and various Ottoman-era structures, along with museums and cultural centers. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University, established in 1992, is a major higher education institution serving the region and contributing to research and development.

Geography and climate are characterized by a continental pattern, with hot summers and cold winters influenced by the surrounding Taurus Mountains. The city was affected by the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake, with ongoing reconstruction and recovery efforts in the aftermath.